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CLEVELAND POLICE

I WATCHED Ray Mallon and Stuart Bell square up to each other on the TV and was very disappointed at the timewasting tactics employed by Mr Bell.

He persisted in repeating that an innocent man does not plead guilty. It was obviously the only ground on which he felt safe.

For an MP and barrister of many years standing, does he not appreciate that Mr Mallon was forced into that decision by the tactics employed by the opposition in prolonging the discipline inquiry to make him ineligible to stand as mayor?

Mr Bell does himself a disservice by standing firm with the Chief Constable and Chairman of the Police Authority.

I have no recollection of him ever making any comment about any of the numerous other officers who have made the headlines in recent times.

Is it not time for a public inquiry into Lancet and into the operation of Cleveland Constabulary?

Don't make it a personal issue, Mr Bell, because that makes you look even more out of touch with the people of Middlesbrough. You should be insisting on a public inquiry if you were doing your job in the manner in which an elected member should. - Name and address supplied.

I DO believe that Ray Mallon has had a tough deal from the Chief of Cleveland Police and from the MP for Middlesbrough Stuart Bell.

How can he be found guilty of 14 charges and not be put in prison and, as for Mr Bell saying he should not be allowed to be considered for mayor, it is ridiculous?

I do believe he will be supported by the people who realise what a super job he did for them cleaning up crime, until the top men realised he was getting too much credit through the press, TV and radio. Jealousy took over, which cost taxpayers millions of pounds.

At least Mr Mallon will be a breath of fresh air as mayor. He will not be shackled by Labour puppeteers to do as he is told.

He did a marvellous job in the fight against crime and I think he will do an excellent job as mayor, free from politics, and he will be remembered by the sensible people from the Boro. - F Wealands, Darlington.

FOLLOWING a conversation with Ray Mallon, I find that my previously held opinions are reinforced.

He is open, he is honest and he is not afraid to get right to the heart of a problem.

When he becomes Mayor of Middlesbrough, he will put the people before politics. That's just what we need. Ray, you get my vote. - Keith Jones, Stockton.

COUNCIL FINANCES

FOR years, Labour councils raised council tax while cutting public services and they blamed the Thatcher and Major governments as an excuse for their own actions.

Having had a Labour Government for almost five years, and with North-East councils again threatening massive council tax rises of 17 per cent and public service cuts, the question must be asked: what's the excuse now?

Tony Blair seems to have turned his back on the North-East, ignoring pleas for more money, while the tired excuses of his Labour councils have been laid bare.

The divide between 'old' Labour and New Labour is growing, but one thing which unites Labour locally and nationally is its record of failure. But why should we, who live in the region, be made to pay for it? - Michael Fishwick, Thornley.

LAW AND ORDER

GRAHAM Robb has my sympathy as a victim of crime but, as I read more of his article (Echo, Feb 14), he seems to have "lost the plot".

What first made New York successful in combating crime was a powerful, elected mayor, who focused attention and resources effectively. Issues of Zero Tolerance and effective police management will no doubt feature prominently in Ray Mallon's campaign to become Mayor of Middlesbrough.

Wardens are meant to deter low-level anti-social behaviour which, Graham accepts, is the start to more serious criminal behaviour. This should free up the police to concentrate their professional skills in chasing dangerous and habitual criminals.

The paperwork afflicting the police is the responsibility of the Home Office and the judicial system. It is not Darlington Council or Durham County to blame and they should not be financially penalised.

Having just had stolen his BMW, Graham declares: "crime is more important" than "schools and hospitals". This despite the fact that his "wife works in the NHS" and, presumably, his daughter will be going to school.

Grow up Graham - health, education, transport and, yes, law and order are all of vital importance. All need proper resources and should not be set one against the other. - Stuart Hill, Darlington.

PETER MULLEN

PETER Mullen's column (Echo, Feb 12) was extraordinarily eye-opening, coming, as it did, from a rector of the Church of England. He attacked Princess Diana because the public response to her death was strong, and I think that it is shameful that he admits to telling his wife that a "better" programme than coverage of the death of the princess was to be screened later. Where is his compassion?

His whole article was a pointless waste, except to show the bigoted views of a so-called educated representative of the church. No wonder church attendances are declining.

If he refers to the Bible, he will discover that our Lord made himself "one of us" on many occasions and did not pursue a "regal personage". The truth of the matter is that both princesses are equal in the eyes of God. They both tried to help their fellow man in their own particular ways. - Bill Robinson, Middleton Tyas.