I SHOULD like to thank Jack Straw (LET, August 20) for speaking out against the scroungers, vandals and thieves who blight the areas of Blackburn where they settle.

Having had a garage broken into twice this year, I am pleased to see a glimmer of hope - although a reduction nationwide in policemen of 1,000 over the past two years, plus a tardiness in producing the promised secure accommodation for young offenders, does not throw a good light on Mr Straw as Home Secretary.

Nevertheless, Jack Straw does at least stand up for decency and right. Meanwhile, our council leader bends like a straw in the wind of political correctness, etc.

Perhaps, if Coun Malcolm Doherty had our MP's strength of character, we wouldn't have a Labour council discussing Glenn Hoddle's opinions, selecting ridiculous 'nude men' sculptures, or proposing we apply for city status with the farcical name of 'Blackburn with Darwen.'

R PICKUP, Pinewood, Feniscowles, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.