Readers' letters from Tuesday 2 Aug 2011

Fewer cars, more cops

With the police looking to save money through cost-cutting, why not reduce the number of police cars on the road? These are expensive to purchase, maintain and fuel and by cutting the numbers, this saving could put more officers back on the beat.Of course, we know that police officers these days would prefer to drive about, but when they do their eyes are not on what’s going on all around them, they are only looking at the road ahead of them.Having more police on the streets would reduce vandalism, anti-social behaviour and protect more properties from burglary. After all, the felons would never be sure when the beat bobby was about.I don’t believe I’m the only person to think that’s what’s needed more than Panda cars is more bobbies on the street. It’s common sense.

Salford 5

Lack of authority

I could not agree more with Angela Epstein’s comments on the tattoos some police officers adorn their skin with (M.E.N, July 25).I was brought up in a time when the copper on the beat was always immaculately turned out, cutting a figure of authority and respect. But I’m  sad to say that was then and times have changed.How can today’s police expect  the same respect with their tattoos and shaven heads, who address you with the words ‘alright fella’.

Old School, Gorton

Cromwell ‘myths’

Although I often agree with Andrew Grimes’ opinions, I am moved to give an antidote to his repetition of the usual Oliver Cromwell 'myth' (MEN, July 29).In the first place, Cromwell was not responsible for policy towards Ireland. At that time, it was the Army Council, and he was one of several generals. Nor was he responsible for the ‘massacre’ at Drogheda. No civilians were massacred. His troops did kill a number of the garrison after capture, but this was after their commander had refused an offer of terms or ‘no quarter’, an accepted usage of the laws of war in the 17th century. By the standards of the time, Cromwell was a humane commander. If Mr Grimes doesn't believe me, let him read Cromwell: an Honourable Enemy by Tom Reilly.Secondly, to suggest that Cromwell somehow prefigures Stalin is an old canard. Cromwell belonged to the independent party of the parliamentarians. He, like they, was for religious tolerance, no state church, and guarantees for the freedom of the subject. He would have preferred a constitutional monarchy, and aimed at someting similar to the settlement of 1688. When Charles would not play ball, he went along with the idea of a republic but not a dictatorship. He reluctantly accepted the position of Lord Protector, but did not act like a monarch.As to the man himself, he was devoted to his family, loved music (the first English opera was performed under his auspices), and was very sociable. Musicians played all night at the wedding of his daughter, and he took care to place sticky sweets on the chairs where the guests would sit!Remember, Andrew, what he said to the religious nutters of his time (it could be carved on the plinth of the re-sited statue in Manchester); “I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ... think that you may be mistaken!”

Dr Barry Worthington, Bury

Lost the plot

I was disgusted to read on the front of the paper (M.E.N, July 29)  that Manchester City Football Club have paid £35m for a football player called Sergio Aguero.  There are people starving, homeless and living in extreme poverty in Manchester and throughout the UK, our country is in a massive recession and everyone is struggling and this is just here, never mind the rest of the world.  In this day and age, there should not be such a thing as starvation but there is. How disgusting is it that this sort of money is thrown around so easily for football.What kind of people put more value on a game of football than they do on people’s lives?And for it to be headline news across television, radio and newspapers shows what a state the world is in. The game of football has become dangerously out of hand. It is a game, life does not depend on it.

Sarah Downes, by email

Collection success

Animal Aid would like to thank the people of Manchester for their generosity in raising £205.22 at a recent city centre collection. For more information about the work of the organisation, please visit animalaid.org.uk or call 01732 364546.

Rita Bright, Manchester

Nominate your unsung heroes

In October, I have the great pleasure of hosting the annual Pride of Britain Awards, sponsored by Littlewoods.com, on ITV1.  It is an incredibly inspiring occasion where HRH Prince Charles joins a star-studded audience to honour the nation’s unsung heroes. For me, it's the only TV awards show that really matters because the winners are real heroes who put the Great into Britain. But we need help in finding them and that's why I'm asking anyone who knows an unsung hero or heroine to nominate them. Perhaps it's someone who has worked tirelessly to improve their community, a dedicated charity fundraiser or a courageous child or adult? Or a member of our marvellous armed forces or emergency services, who risk their lives to save others? It's easy to nominate them for a Pride of Britain award – either visit prideofbritain.com or write to the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards, PO Box 4014, London, E14 5BF. Nominations must be received by midnight on Friday, August 12 to be considered.

Carol Vorderman