THE BIRCH was at hand years ago and less crime was committed. I knew a boy who received it once and only once, that proved it was the cure.

Now that crime is on the increase the birch should be introduced, more so when large numbers of the public have worked all their lives to get their homes in order and the minute they turn their backs, their houses are broken into.

The Government must change the law, the sooner the better. Enough is enough.

The government should bow their heads in shame.

Teddy Leigh (Age 80),

Brompton Road,

Kingstanding, Birmingham

(formerly of Moss Street, Bolton)

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