I READ with utter dismay about Daniel Stephenson and his fellow low-life mates (“Thumbs up and smirk as gang that brought terror to an estate get Asbos,” Examiner October 1).

I am desperately unhappy and frustrated about the power these idiots wield over decent people and I fear that Asbos aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. It would seem rather that they are “worn” like medals within their sub-culture.

The invisible army of “do-gooders” in this country have become amazingly successful at protecting the wrong people’s human rights at the expense of hard-working, honest, decent people, many of whom put a lot back into society.

I believe, quite simply, that as soon as anyone violates someone else’s human rights – their space, their property, their body etc – they should be robbed of their own.

If only there were enough prisons, if only we had a controlled population size, if only there were some who didn’t mind a new prison in their back yard ... That is where these offenders should be, and if so, how would they be converted into worthwhile human beings before being let loose again?

There are a great many decent people out there, scattered across the globe, not defending our country but dying in horrifying numbers while trying, under orders, to sort out the problems within other countries.

The Army’s numbers are, perhaps not surprisingly, depleted. I firmly believe that young men and women who take pleasure in offending against their own countrymen should be forced to join the Army for at least three years and show us all how tough they are when the pressure is on.

I take my hat off to the police and I find it quite amazing that some people still join the force. When they are not hampered by government red tape they are working in the grotty end of society. I don’t know how they keep up their motivation.

Name and address supplied

These ARE serious offences

WITH reference to your stories on the youths given Asbos (Examiner October 1); just what planet are the magistrates on?

Asbos for assault, possession of a lethal weapon, threatening with intent with a lethal weapon, criminal damage, arson, sexual and racial verbal abuse, assaulting a police officer, theft and threatening behaviour causing fear of provocation.

It would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.

The reason I have tabled the above list is in response to the magistrate’s comment regarding the youth accused of wielding and threatening with a sword: “If you breach this order it will be a criminal offence which will be considered very seriously by this court.”

All the above are very serious criminal offences, a lot more serious than allowing a dog to wander unleashed.

And all the court has done is done is given them a medal, because that’s all an Asbo is to these thugs. These low-lifes should all be given an order, but it should give their immediate address as one of Her Majesty’s establishments.

They should be taken off the streets and not allowed to leave court to gloat and stick their fingers up at justice.

Name and address suppled

Humiliate the yobs

THE whole issue of Asbos as highlighted by your front page picture and story (Examiner October 1) is a joke. The man pictured is proving that by his arrogance that an Asbo is like a badge of courage. People should recognise that they do not work. I’m amazed the Government hasn't come to that same conclusion.

These youngsters have caused an awful lot of trouble; the lifestyle they lead has to be stopped and Asbos are not the answer. No-one likes to be laughed at and these kids are laughing at society. Your article quite rightly highlighted that. They need to be humiliated and they need to be taught respect, discipline and manners.

Chris Schofield

Kirkburton

Clearly the threat of Asbos did not prove a deterrent in these and many other cases. Tougher ways of dealing with young offenders have to be devised.

Independent commission’s plea

THE Howard League for Penal Reform has set up an independent commission to investigate the best way of dealing with people who commit crimes and how we can all work to make our communities safer. We want to hear from your readers.

The Commission on English Prisons Today is considering how to make justice a local affair. It is interested in hearing how local people can have control over how money is spent and how we can invest money to tackle the underlying causes of crime. Its new consultation paper suggests that local control of prisons and community sentencing might be more effective than the current bureaucratic and central system.

The commission has put a questionnaire on its website and is calling for ideas and submissions. The website is www.prisoncommission.org.uk

Frances Crook

Member, Commission on English Prisons Today

ALLEN JENKINSON

Milnsbridge

Added danger on the hill

I SEE Kirklees (aka The Barmy Army) is at it again in Woodhouse Hill, Fartown. Not content with making this road more dangerous with the pinch points they installed they have now put in speed humps, which didn’t seem to bother one motorist I noticed on Sunday morning as he bombed down the hill at well over the speed limit.

I was amazed to see that they have actually put a speed bump IN the lay-by outside the church. What for? Perhaps to stop the hearse rolling away when they unload the coffin for burial?

David Jagger

Golcar

When the baths came down

CAN anyone solve a disagreement between myself and my partner? He says Ramsden Street baths were demolished in 1968 to make way for Queensgate Market. I say it must have been after 1970 because I learnt to swim there and would only have been four years old if it was 1968 and I’m sure I was older than that. Does anyone know what year they were demolished? Please settle this for us.

Horace & Doris

Cowlersley

Our research shows the baths were demolished in 1972.

Let the stores run things

I THINK (nay know) the boards of Tesco, Sainsbury or Morrisons would make a far far better job of running our country than Sheerman’s lot by a long chalk (“Perhaps we should let Tesco and others of similar ilk run the country”, Mailbag September 30) .

Peter K Garside

Slaithwaite

Bigger sports centre call

LITTLE attention has been paid to the sports centre proposed as part of the Tesco plan. I have seen no details about its design and its cost. All that’s been said is that the preferred site is Springwood car park, with the back-up along St Andrew’s Road.

These sites can only accommodate a sports centre similar to the present one, which is hardly progress.

All the new sports centres that I have seen have been on at least 20-acre sites with room to expand if necessary. These sports centres have more than just a swimming pool and some indoor courts; they also provide outdoor facilities as well as providing facilities for many more sports.

These larger sites, which are usually on the edge of town, allow you to increase facilities when demand and money allow without having to uproot again.

Is there such a site in Huddersfield? I would suggest there is; the former Syngenta site along Leeds Road is vastly under-used and I am sure appropriate land could be acquired for a favourable price.

My suggestion to the council is, why not form a partnership with Tesco to develop such a site. At least the sports centre would be fit for purpose throughout the 21st century

Neil Robertson

Huddersfield