THE announcement this week that the European Court of Human Rights has come down on the side of the anti-DNA lobby is very significant.

The judges have said keeping the information of people not already convicted of a crime “could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society.”

Of course it is not ‘necessary’ but it is highly desirable to the forces of law and order and to all potential victims of crime, that is, all of us.

As a result of the ruling a large number of people who were charged but not convicted, ie got away with an offence due to technical or other reasons, will enjoy the freedom to offend again without being detected as they might otherwise have been.

It is undeniable, therefore, that many people, who need not have become victims, will be hurt by crime committed by people who could have been caught through DNA records now to be destroyed. This is a sacrifice which must now be made to the modern deity of personal privacy.

So where do we go from here? The government must surely now consider introducing a universal DNA database to avoid the charge of discrimination. Obviously there is little hope of that in the present economic and political climate but it should come about eventually because it would make such a difference to our personal safety and peace of mind. It is the only way another Yorkshire Ripper episode can be preempted.

To deny the police any DNA records, however obtained, is a retrograde step because the strongest deterrent to criminal behaviour is the likelihood of being caught.

Mark Mercer

Golcar

Have a say on parish councils

NOW that Kirklees Council are in the process of deciding the use, if any, of the five parish councils in this area I do hope that everyone interested has sent in their submission forms to state their views. If you didn’t see the notices of the existence of these forms there will be more in February asking again for your views on various options as to the future of these councils.

As I and many others think that these expensive councils should be disbanded in favour of the area committees, now is your chance to have your say.

The administration team of the Policy and Governance Service of Kirklees Council have all the information that you will need. A phone call will suffice.

Marjorie Russell

Farnley Tyas

Lighting up the festive season

I MUST write in defence of the Holmfirth Christmas Lights.

My late husband was one of many volunteers who put up the first lights in Holmfirth, years ago. Rain, snow and blow, they gave up their precious time, unpaid, to provide these lights. They were called out all times to maintain these.

I don’t know what the situation is now for these lights, I think they are tasteful and pretty, and myself and my family appreciate the time and effort these people have made to give us the pleasure of this festive season.

If ‘Robbed’ of Holmfirth (Mailbag December 2) thinks she can improve anything, I am sure she will be welcome to give up time with her family and help in the proceedings.

Maureen Hirst

Netherton

Time to bin the Euro debate

THEY are at it again! Trying to blame the current situation, for us not being in Europe. It has been reported that we would have been better off, money wise, and so, should now, convert to the Euro.

It seems these politicians, will employ any means, to get their own way.

What they really want could be to destroy, everything about our once proud country, including its history and its traditions.

The electorate, the people who voted them into power, as usual, have been ignored, although a larger percentage have no interest, in giving our all to this ever growing “Gravy Train”, which is Europe.

So this idea, which of course has been denied, needs to be put in the wheelie bin, along with all the other rubbish which has surfaced, during the past 11 years.

Brenda Holroyd

Netherthong

Cut off terrorists’ cash supply

MY heart is with the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in India.

Now that so many countries have suffered from terrorism, and President Elect Obama calls to all major powers to unite in the fight against that scourge, there is a hope of bringing some success.

One major factor is overlooked – that is the vast amount of money sent unchecked from so many countries, including Britain, for the support of terrorism.

Once terrorism is eliminated there can be a normal process to settle grievances, as we have experienced in extremely difficult cases in some Eastern European countries.

Tony Sosna

Huddersfield

Sackings make recession worse

AS the financial crisis worsens and feeds into an economic recession, it is important that people do not simply sit back as if nothing can be done about it – things can be done.

Lloyds/HBOS, Bradford and Bingley, RBOS and Northern Rock plan to shed jobs by the tens of thousands. These failed businesses are now nationalised and so belong to us and they need to be run by us or, more sensibly, by those who work there and know how to organise and plan to ensure they are run properly. This does not mean the same parasites who created the problem, they should be sacked.

What needs to be done in these nationalised firms is, first of all, a substantial salary increase for the low-paid workers employed there (these people will spend the money not like the rich who will hoard it), there must be no sackings or reduction in the workforce. All agency and temporary staff must be given the opportunity to have their jobs made permanent, there must be no more repossessions and interest rates for mortgages must be lowered in line with the Bank of England rate.

This will set an example to other employers. Are they really so stupid that they don’t realise that low wages and sackings make the recession worse!

Mick Calvert

Holmfirth

Protect people and dogs

DOGS used as weapons are becoming increasingly popular in urban gangs. Indeed, the RSPCA saw a 15-fold increase in the number of complaints about dog fighting between 2004- 2007. These dogs can suffer terrible injuries through dog fighting or cruelty, including, in some cases, physical violence inflicted by their owners.

Such dogs are also used to intimidate, fight or even attack people and other animals (often other dogs and cats) and this has a huge impact on local communities.

Now, the Society is urging readers to lobby their local MP and ask them to put their name forward for the Private Members Bill Ballot, taking place on December 11, 2008. Alternatively you can go on the website www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk for more information. It will just take a few minutes, but, with enough support, this could be the start in creating legislation to tackle this horrific trend. Current legislation is failing enforcers, dog owners and the dogs themselves.

Readers could also write to the Minister responsible at Defra, Jane Kennedy MP, to ask her to consider updating the law.

RSPCA animal centres are bulging with unwanted ‘status’ dogs such as bull breeds and Staffordshire bull terrier crosses. We need to act now to alleviate this growing crisis, and consolidate the law to protect both dogs and humans.

Alan Wolinski

Regional Manager for the RSPCA in the North

Odd way to support PO

I HAVE just received a letter from a Mr Malik, who claims to be my Member of Parliament and has been so for the past three years. I find this rather strange as I was under the impression, being in the Wakefield area, my representative was Mary Creagh.

However I compliment him on his saving of Thornhill and Saville Town Post Offices. I also agreed with his other remarks on the importance of rural post offices. That was until I noticed the envelope that the letter came in had no Post Office stamp, only a competitor’s stamp. I don’t know how many letters had been sent out, but any stamps bought at the Post Office counter would support a Post Office.

D Roberts

Skelmanthorpe

A very British Christmas

HERE we go again, another directive from our peerless leaders. Planning to reduce the country’s carbon footprint by a huge amount, while other countries carry on churning out greenhouse gases at an alarming rate .

At least our footprint can afford shoes at the moment. When the powers that be have turned Britain into either a third world country or some dream world not unlike the land inhabited by Teletubbies, our footprint will be bare-footed.

British industry is fighting the rest of the world with both hands tied behind its back, hide bound by high taxes and crippling regulations. I know that governments over the last 30 years have pinned all their hopes on the financial whizzkids and dealers in the City, at the expense of manufacturing. Look where that has got us.

This Christmas try and buy anything made in this country, also have a look at your gifts, they are more likely to have come from China than some fat jolly old man in Lapland, I think his bank went bust.

Consider the huge footprint of importing all this seasonal joy. And the jobs lost in the UK. Makes you sad doesn’t it.

Edward Livingstone

Newsome

Road users in the dark

IT’S time to run a motorist and cyclists light-up campaign.

I see nearly a dozen motorists, mainly in the mornings, who have no lights on, when it’s pitch dark. Many are cars, some large vans, even a coach. I also see several cyclists with no lights at all – or a poor flashing one. All this on a seven-mile daily journey, so what’s happening nationally? Huddersfield could do its bit to promote safety for all, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Paul

Huddersfield