AS a solicitor Mr Hobson writes to explain the law regarding self-defence and although I was fully aware of this I thank him for doing so.

He writes that the questions posed by Mr Burge and myself are simply answered if one looks at the law.

He then goes on to define this, which is anything but simple, since it hinges on what constitutes 'reasonable force' and this is left to the discretion of the police.

I do not leave the protection of my property to the vagaries of such an authority.

The public trust in the law is now at an all time low, and this is exemplified by the most recent scandal whereby the criminals who hi-jacked an aircraft and committed several offences, were eventually cleared, at immense cost to myself and all taxpayers.

G R BRAY

Swindon