ISN'T it funny how things slip quietly into the public arena and, before your know it, they become features of our everyday lives?

In The Bolton News, there was a prominent notice from Greater Manchester Police and British Transport Police asking for Joe Public to report "terrorists living within our communities". "Terrorism - If You Suspect It, Report It." I've not seen this advertisement before and was quite surprised by it.

Also, there were pictures and articles of lovely shiny new automobiles and I couldn't help but wonder if these two items were somehow related.

Please let me explain. I'm not attempting to make a cheap and cynical point about the UK invading other countries in order to secure foreign oil fields for future supply requirements. As every reasonable person knows, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are being waged to free the people in those countries from mad terrorists and insane dictators.

What I was actually wondering about was the fact that I know of quite a few people who have been killed or injured in road traffic collisions due to negligent drivers, but I don't recall any relative, work colleague, or distant acquaintance being killed or injured at the hands of terrorists.

Apparently, 3,172 died on UK roads in 2006, which makes the daily average of nine lives lost. Can anyone recall Greater Manchester Police or British Transport Police placing advertisements in local newspapers encouraging motorists to drive with due care and attention?

Perhaps once the bombs start going off, as the police clearly believe they will (after all, newspaper articles that size don't come cheap), celebrity lawyer Nick "Mr Loophole" Freeman (he who gets wealthy people off driving convictions) along with Bolton's own Martin Hammond and Philip Trotter, who have set up Driving Defences in Lostock, could diversify into other "controversial" areas? Undoubtedly any apprehended bomber would be very appreciative!

Stephen Wright Loweswater Road Farnworth