A choice: arm the police or bring back hanging

sir – I believe the right punishment for murder (Letters, August 17) is death by hanging.

I taught in prisons for 10 years and I know we must do more to rehabilitate offenders, to assist them on release and to provide better education to help young people prosper. But there must also be a deterrent in place to help us be decent members of society.

The argument against capital punishment was based on the risk of miscarriages of justice. But since forensics and surveillance have developed, and juries have become more reluctant to convict unless evidence is conclusive, the risk is greatly reduced.

Society faces a simple choice: arm our police or bring back the rope, which was once referred to as “the copper’s friend”. I, and most officers, would not like to see our police armed. Bob Clark

Chalgrove, Oxfordshire sir – I cannot agree with Simon Crowley (Letters, August 12), who supports having an unarmed police force with specialist armed officers on call.

In 1958 I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. I received firearms training and was able to dismantle and reassemble a Sterling submachine gun blindfolded. I was later stationed at Crossmaglen, which became notorious. I never had to draw my weapon but it was there if I needed it and I knew how to use it.

In France every gendarme is armed, as are customs officers. We visit Le Touquet and find guards stationed outside the President’s home there. They are dressed in normal uniforms but carry submachine guns. When I see our armed police in action – with all the accoutrements and yelling – I find the spectacle ridiculous. John R Mcerlean

Elstow, Bedfordshire