I WISH I could be the Home Secretary.

I would demand a database be created for every British resident and citizens' DNA samples. This will minimize crime – solving time and costs, so we can greatly increase the numbers of Bobbies on the beat.

I would favour more police dogs and less helicopters which will be a reversal of the present trend, because although choppers can prove vital for some operations, they carry frequent dangerous consequences, ie. increasing twockers speeds and risks. Dogs play a vital part of policing and should be increased in numbers, not reduced.

New-style boot camps would be introduced, staffed by ex-army NCOs. Far more effective and successful than prisons for minor offenders. For murder with intent, a humane termination of these evildoers would be introduced.

This would solve the critical space problem, making way for the most dangerous criminals who need to serve their full sentences for the safety of the public.

All artificial flavours and colours would be banned, as they turn angels into animals. As for under-age smoking and drinking which also greatly contributes to outrageous behaviour, the only way reverse this tend is teaching the children in school. Perhaps a new subject lesson: Health, Happy Futures.

I wish I could be the Home Secretary, but as I'm only an ex-Whitburn Secondary Modern pupil, I'm doomed to watching the country's gloom.
Jim Chambers,
Rickleton Village Centre,
Washington

Could not believe it
I AM no expert in letter writing but feel I must comment on the letter about Sunderland Royal Hospital.

First of all, the dear lady who writes lives in Cleadon. I may be wrong, there may be poorer people who live in Cleadon who need assistance with funds to live, but somehow I think maybe not.

I have recently been in SRH for a few days. The need to see television or use a phone does not bother me.

I could not believe it when I read that she thought credit should be allowed for £7 viewing if transferred to other wards.

Totally unbelievable.

Same thing applies, not mentioned by this lady, I know about meals. We are given care and treatment on whatever is required for us on the NHS.

Meals are an extra and are quite adequate. It is not suitable for patients to have family/friends supplying them with whatever they fancy and it's no hardship.

I just cannot understand this lady even put pen to paper about this.
But again, we have wonderful free speech and that is why I am glad I live in this country.

As for pensioners not being able to afford, they are not laying out the cash at home for their needs while in hospital.
Ex-Patient

Expensive parking
TODAY I went to Asda. I bought £70-worth of goods. But the visit cost me £100 – £70 in goods and £30 parking in Asda car park.

It seems now we are being ordered where to park in Asda car parks in order to shop in Asda.

In the past you drove to a supermarket, parked in a space, if lucky, shopped and went home. Not now. Now we have segregated car parks.

I visited Asda today. The only spaces I could see were marked with an adult and child sign (having been there many months). I parked, dashed in for my items and out again only to find I had a parking ticket. If I had a child with me I could shop at leisure. Now, no child – move on, hunt another space.

I don't recall Morrison's, Somerfield or Tesco ordering us where to park and reeling in such insanity. Most supermarkets are just happy to get customers.

Asda, enjoy my £70 – it's the last.
Big Brother Rules

We'll never forget
MARTIN Hope and Joanne Williams and family would like to thank everyone who helped after the sudden death of Callum at five weeks old.

We would like to say thanks to John Duckworth funeral directors for their kindness throughout. A special thank you to John Stubbs for his care and help at this very sad time and for his support and friendship after the funeral.

We would like to thank Sunderland A&E ambulance crew and F65 staff as Callum's twin, Cameron wad admitted to F65 with a hernia.

Thanks to everyone for the many flowers, cards and support throughout this sad time.

A big thank you to Callum's uncle Colin for everything he has done.

Also thanks to police and liaison officers, who were there when we needed them.

Thanks, we will never forget you.
Hope Family,
Gray Road,
Sunderland

Thanks, readers
I THANK all Echo readers who helped to make the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Help a Heart campaign a success this June.

So many people supported the campaign by digging deep and donating to our UK-wide house-to-house collections, buying a Heart Button from their local BHF shop or raising funds in their own way, that we're well on our way to raising our target of £1.5million.

We are also extremely thankful to those people who gave their time for free – by volunteering to distribute and gather in collection envelopes or helping out with events.

The money your community raised throughout the Help a Heart campaign will help the BHF continue to fund vital heart research to save and improve lives.

If people would still like to donate to the campaign they can visit bhf.org.uk/helpaheart or call 01623 624558
Jackie Skeel, Head of BHF Fundraising Campaigns