THERE has been justifiably much concern about the murder of Sarah Everard and what lone women should do when approached by a lone police officer. However, the scenarios that have been posed in the media are not as relevant here in Scotland, as the great majority of police patrols are conducted by two officers for corroboration purposes.
This should give any women a justifiable reason to request another officer to be present if asked to accompany the initial officer into a vehicle.
Richard Wiggins, Prestwick.
* THERE needs to be full inquiry to deal with this horrific and sickening murder: into why a police officer was allowed to remain on duty and how his behaviour was not picked up earlier by the police when he was employed and during his service.
The police authority who dismissed the act of Wayne Couzens exposing himself at a McDonalds restaurant three weeks before he kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard should be held to account.
Alexander Boyd, Glasgow.
MOVED BY THE FAMILY'S COURAGE
I BELIEVE that many will have felt despair when learning of the circumstances of the murder of Sarah Everard and also felt sympathy for her family and friends. Here we have yet another example of how the veil of civilisation can be stripped away so suddenly and arbitrarily only to expose depravity lurking below.
Having felt that despair at the despicable actions of the serving police officer, I also believe that many will have been moved and uplifted by the courage and strength of Sarah’s family, in the midst of their trauma and grief, not only to convey their deep love for Sarah and how much she is missed, but also to condemn the murderer to his face for his awful behaviour.
Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.
SLAUGHTER OF THE SEABIRDS
COULD mankind be any more destructive in its vain attempts to "save the planet"?
Ever-more alarming articles inform us about climate change causing the death of seabirds, including today's Issue of the Day feature by Vicky Allan ("Mystery of the 1,000 dead seabirds", The Herald, September 30).
At the same time, we are carpeting almost the entire country, plus much of our pristine seascapes, with what has been described as the new “apex predator” – hugely-destructive, lethal, industrial wind turbines.
The Isle of Man wildlife charity Manx Birdlife has reported a shocking 40 per cent decline in the populations of many species of sea birds around the island’s coast as wind farms overwhelm the Irish Sea.
Herring gulls are down 82%, European shag down 51%, razorbills down 55%. The list goes on, yet barely a mention is made by any environmental body supposed to be protecting our wildlife. They shrug their collective shoulders, telling us that cats kill more birds, so presumably we may as well accelerate the slaughter. What sort of perverted environmental logic is that?
The RSPB has tracked more than 1,000 of Britain’s four most threatened bird species – kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and shags – and found they feed at certain “hotspots”. Many of these are sandbanks where small fish are found, which happen to be the places developers find it easier to build offshore wind turbines.
The RSPB vehemently objected to the Firth of Forth offshore wind farms, describing them as “the most damaging wind farms for seabirds anywhere in the world”, adding that the proliferation of offshore wind farms could be the “final nail in the coffin” for seabirds. Yet our blinkered politicians blunder on regardless, few willing to admit that we have got this unnecessary, indiscriminate slaughter of wildlife horribly wrong.
George Herraghty, Elgin.
GET TOUGH ON PROTESTORS
THOSE in charge of policing the COP26 conference in Glasgow have stated categorically that they will arrest any climate protestors blocking roads and bridges. All well and good. Perhaps it is cynical, but all evidence to date would suggest that this kind of heavy policing threat tends to stimulate the zealots involved, not scare them off.
It would be a good start if the police would stop asking them if they are comfortable and need anything, as we witnessed in some of the M25 demonstrations, while many thousands of working people were being held up for hours and where reportedly a mother-to-be had to give birth in the back of a car.
Alexander McKay, Edinburgh.
RAIL: EVERY LITTLE HELPS
IT seems that every cloud has a silver lining. If the supposed shortage of 100,000 lorry drivers means 100,000 fewer polluting lorries adding to congestion on our roads then we should be rejoicing, especially since there is a far more sensible solution in the form of rail transport.
I note that Tesco has announced that it is increasing its rail deliveries to 90,000 containers and that its present 65,000 container rail shipments are saving 22 million road miles per year. It is lighting the torch for the others to now follow suit. If they do it will make a huge difference on the roads and to the environment.
Morag Black, Houston.
CLASSY IN PINK
COLIN M Guthrie's letter about James Bond and his pink double-breasted jacket (September 30) brought to mind Robert Redford famously wearing a pink suit in The Great Gatsby.
That, back in 2013, was said to represent his social class. Enhanced or unenhanced, the image persists.
David Miller, Milngavie.
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