Can’t pick and choose laws

✒ SO if enough protesters (Statue protest Action calls for police investigation to be dropped, July 7) object to the prosecution of those who toppled Colston’s statue do they really expect that no charges should be brought for criminal damages?

If Bristol’s Stand Up To Racism group’ s rationale that: “The tearing down of the statue during the Black Lives Matter protest on June 7 was not a criminal act” is correct and no prosecutions take place then anarchy rules! Moreover, it is not within the remit of protesters to interpret the law – that responsibility lies with the police/judges/jury!

Furthermore, detective superintendent Liz Hughes said that “...in the eyes of the law a crime has been committed and we’re duty-bound to investigate this without fear or favour”. I sincerely hope the Avon and Somerset Police remain independent of the rantings of the mob! This hopefully will mean that they and Bristol City Council will ignore the anarchists and that prosecutions will be brought against the thugs (peaceful protest yes but not wanton criminal damage!) who believe they are above the law!

We still live In a democratic society where laws are administered/ discharged independently on our behalf. Bristol’s Stand Up To Racism group should be under no illusions that our laws are not akin to a sweet shop, where they can ‘pick and mix’ the rules they will obey and those they want ignored!

RL Smith Knowle