Let’s hope that brave PC did not die in vain

The more we hear about the Westminster attack, the more shambolic the security arrangements at Parliament appear to be. To make matters worse, MPs initially ignored the commotion, believing it to be yet another attempt by an anarchist to scale the fence. Let’s not wait for a report before acting on this catalogue of errors. Roy Daniels, Luton

Peter Hitchens’s column on the Westminster terror attack was spot-on. Why the world seemed to stop because someone had decided to go on the rampage totally defeats me. To give these terrorists such publicity is to encourage the next lone wolf who wants to rail against the world.

Sadly there are thousands of people, usually with a history of drug abuse, waiting to go out in a blaze of glory. Without the publicity, some of them might think twice. Fred Evans, Studley, Warwickshire

I was so relieved to read Peter Hitchens’s article on the reaction to the London terror attack. Of course I was appalled by what happened, and especially by the death of a police officer who was doing his job. But as Peter pointed out in his column, the only things missing were Tony Blair and his fake tears. It is possible to feel emotion on these occasions without resorting to laying bouquets of flowers and lighting candles at the scene.

Linda Cragg, Grantham

Peter Hitchens believes that drug addicts are responsible for terror attacks in Europe. But given that there are approximately eight million drug users in Europe, we should be having at least 100 attacks a day. Anyone can take something and add a spin to it – just look at Peter Mandelson or Alastair Campbell. John Crossley, Milton Keynes According to reports, armed security at Westminster was scaled down three years ago after MPs complained that the sight of marksmen was ‘offputting’ and ‘unwelcoming’. I wonder how they are feeling now following the shocking events that cost several innocent people their lives? Terry Hickman, Southampton

I think Peter was a little harsh to describe us a nation of weepers. People just react in different ways to tragedy. If they find comfort in laying some flowers, who are we to judge them? A. Brown, Surrey