Sir, - A few weeks ago the government announced that more firearms legislation was to be introduced.

The announcement was made by Charles Clarke MP, a Home Office Minister. These recommendations were being adopted, he said, because of the government's concern for public safety.

This is, of course, wrong.

The government's own figures on armed crime show that the number of crimes committed by the owners of legally held firearms is negligible.

Because the Association of Chief Police Offices is the author of most of this kind of rubbish, I wrote to the chief constable to ask him why his organisation supports such laws when he knows they will have no effect whatsoever on the criminals use of firearms.

The chief constable wrote back to say that he could not comment on government policy. This, apart from having nothing to do with the questions I asked him, was the chief constable being economical with the truth.

The public were conned into supporting the hand gun ban after the horror of Dunblane. They were told the ban would "have a marked effect on the rate of armed crime" and "keep firearms off the streets".

If anyone who supported the ban reads this they may like to know that the rate of armed crime and street shootings has risen by 30pc and 60pc respectively.

The only real threat to the public's safety is the reluctance of both the police in fighting armed crime and the government in doing anything about the thousands of firearms, mainly handguns, which HM Customs and Excise say are being smuggled into this country every year.

P WEAVER

The Maltings,

Sowerby,

Thirsk.

Animal appeal

Sir, - Farplace Animal Rescue came to the aid of another animal sanctuary last week, saving them from closure by taking on some of their rescued animals.

Simply unable to cope with their rising feed and vet bills, they asked Farplace to take both sheep and ferrets to add to our growing menagerie.

Thanks to this and an emergency appeal we have organised, our fellow sanctuary is now saved from closure this winter.

We are often asked to take in animals that have been maltreated or traumatised and take animals from all over the UK. It sometimes takes years to develop a degree of trust with these damaged animals, but Farplace promise each needy creature a home for the rest of their natural lives.

We also try to do what we can to support other sanctuaries in their moment of need when we are able to, as we have done this week. Caring for the animals here does, of course, cost money.

With over 100 animals in our care, including our new arrivals this week, we need help to pay our vet and food bills, and to buy extra hay and bedding, enabling us to help more animals in need throughout the winter. If you are able to make a donation of any amount please make cheques or postal orders payable to Farplace Animal Rescue and send to Jan Edwards, Farplace Animal Rescue, Sidehead, Westgate, County Durham, DL13 1LE.

JAN EDWARDS

Farplace Animal Rescue,

Sidehead,

Westgate