Anti-moped defence

SIR – People need to ask what they can do to avoid being victims of moped crime. Walking along texting is an open invitation, as is wearing expensive jewellery.

I have a smartphone. If I have to use it, I stand in a shop doorway or go into a shop. I don’t wear nice jewellery unless I know I’ll be in a safe place. Money and cards are in a pouch round my neck tucked inside my clothes. I carry an old purse with a few coins in.

Enfield, Middlesex

SIR – Is “moped” not being misused? A moped has a motor of less than 50cc and pedals. I can’t imagine it would be agile or speedy, carrying two people. Photographs of gangs stealing street cameras or robbing a jeweller’s do not seem to show mopeds at all.

This is important, as politicians have passed loose laws (eg, restriction of shotguns after a crime involving licensed full-bore weapons).

Stoke-on-trent, Staffordshire