IN the Bolton Evening News on August 22, a series of crimes was reported including a gun-toting gang who, in the space of two hours, robbed six people; an arson at a garage; a £2m drugs haul; violence in a taxi queue resulting in men being taken to hospital and damage caused by travellers.

What the hell is going on in our town? Equally important, what is being done to make us feel safer?

Let me offer my two pen'orth.

The hoodlum community probably think that crime is worthwhile because, with reported overcrowding in our jails, there is little chance of having to watch telly in a little room with two similar villains.

Why don't we put the work out to others? There must be many developing countries, strapped for cash, who would welcome some sterling for looking after our lads. UK criminals would think twice before risking being banged up in some foreign hell hole, where the view of human rights is slightly different from ours.

The Russians have a word for crime - "Prestuplenie" - literally meaning, "crossing the border".

Watch it you lot, the border you cross may be into a country of a hot climate and a cold welcome.

R J Thomas, Mayor Street, Bolton