Stop, thief !

SIR – Moped muggings are in the news and out of control (report, June 8).

I believe it is illegal in Britain to arm yourself with pepper spray. However, perhaps a spray paint canister might be a good deterrent if you fear for your treasured Rolex (though I have limited sympathy for those who choose to display expensive watches).

Choosing a colour to spray at your attacker might also be diverting. Hew Goldingham

St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex

SIR – The juxtaposition of Thursday’s stories, one about the problems of dealing with moped crime and another on the deployment of three officers to caution a lady for feeding a “stray” cat, leads me to wonder whether the police can be charged with wasting their own time. Jonathan Samways

East Grinstead, West Sussex