Readers' letters

I FOUND it difficult to believe my eyes when I read the report of the Purbeck District Council debate about the police helicopter. I have seldom heard such rubbish and, were I one of their constituents I would be calling for the councillors' resignation! They clearly have no concept of the need for such a machine even though it was clearly explained to them in words of one syllable that the helicopter is not intended merely to cover the East Burton and Wool area. I certainly want it to be available whenever it is needed, and I don't see why the safety of the rest of Dorset should be in the hands of people who seem incapable of understanding the criminal facts of life elsewhere in the county. Apart from that, I suspect that the people of Wool and East Burton would also welcome the operation of the helicopter during the night if they needed it. With regard to the noise, it seems strange to me that people who live within easy listening of the Lulworth ranges should be complaining! This machine is one of the quietest helicopters flying today, far quieter than the Navy Lynxes that we have flying around Weymouth. I have often observed the helicopter taking off and landing at Police HQ and it is clear that, far from being 'gung-ho', it follows a flight path designed to minimise any noise problems for the local populace. Furthermore, I have friends who live in East Burton and at no time have any of them commented to me about the noise created by this machine. Finally, I think the remarks made by these councillors about the helicopter crews are quite out of order - we are always glad to see the helicopter working around Weymouth. We appreciate that this large investment in modern technology has to be used to its fullest capabilities, and that its operations should not be artificially limited by vote-seeking councillors. JOHN NEIMER Cranford Avenue Weymouth

WE NEED IT, SO JUST KEEP IT FLYING

IT IS a pity that a professional seaman has to slur professional pilots in order to protect his back yard and pursue a personal viewpoint ('Fury at slur on "gung ho" pilots', January 30). The residents of crime-free Wool rarely notice the police helicopter for the few seconds of its transit towards the crime areas of Dorset, and in a general meeting at East Burton, when the extended flying period was first proposed, it was accepted by most present, with about two objections. The police helicopter base is ideally placed to cover all parts of Dorset, and many people sleep better knowing that it is protecting our Sleepy Hollow. If the argument is that it is too expensive and deprives the county of policemen on the beat, then put the facts together and discuss it with the police. We are lucky in Wool not to be under the flight path of winter holiday planes taking skiers to far-flung places. It may be that the statement by Coun Malcolm Shakesby about being sure that the pilots 'must have flown in Vietnam' was intended as a compliment. Falklands, Gulf and Vietnam pilots have become the backbone of civilian helicopter flying, and their skills and procedures are first rate. Let the police decide how to catch criminals - and if the crimes are being committed in the small hours, then let them use all available facilities. Scramble the helicopter, I say. RICHARD SNOOK Chalkpit Lane Wool

I'M WORRIED WHERE IT WILL ALL END

THERE have been many letters on the subject of council tax, some from people with more than one property, all fighting their corner for discounts. The huge price increases in property locally have not gone unnoticed. For example, over the last five years I know of a house then priced at £182,500 now selling at £495,000 and a flat priced at £77,500 now selling at more than £200,000. Clever people with money have used the investment as their pension fund. We have been retired many years and live in a three-bedroom bungalow carrying an 'F' banding. If the combined increases from Weymouth Borough and Dorset County Council are kept to 10 per cent this coming financial year we will be paying approx £2,000 a year. In order to find the £30 a month increase from April 2003 we have had to severely cut back on expenditure. Our fast-eroding works pension ensures we will never receive any benefits or rebates. Instead of giving discounts to multiple property owners why not cap OAP's council tax payments, where the house represents their only property. Where is it all going to end? WORRIED OAP Weymouth

LET'S HOPE CRIMINALS KEEP THE SAME HOURS

WHAT a load of rubbish has been spoken about the police helicopter pilots (Echo, Page One, January 30). It was an insult to those who served in Vietnam and any other conflict. If this partial ban on police flying stays, I hope all those who break the law remember not to do so in these hours. I'm sure they wouldn't want to have an unfair advantage over the police. I wonder what will be next - a ban on the fire service going out with their noisy sirens when people are trying to sleep? These pilots carry out a fantastic service and every flight is to serve a purpose - they are not out joyriding. Perhaps the air ambulance had better watch out... MRS C SHORT Walker Crescent Wyke Regis

SHOW SOME COMPASSION

DO THE smug people of Weymouth who condemn the homeless have no compassion for their fellow man? Do they not realise that being homeless was probably not these people's main ambition in life? Sadly - and probably because of rather sad events - homeless is how they have ended up. It could happen to any of us Instead of just condemning them, try talking to them and finding out how they became homeless. You will be surprised to find that most are very friendly and enjoy a chat. It may even help to rebuild their self-esteem a little. When I win the Lottery I will buy as many hotels as I can and throw the doors open to the homeless, the asylum seekers and the rehabs. LYNN O'LEARY Aragon Close Weymouth

EASING THE FLOW

DAVID Harris's letter in last Thursday's Echo suggesting a gyratory traffic system in Weymouth's town centre is valid for several reasons. Even in its own right it would ease Weymouth's in-town congestion. It would be necessary in any case if the new bypass is to be more than a minor improvement. It would reduce the number of congestion-causing traffic lights. This system is widely used in other towns that encountered the same congestion problems ahead of Weymouth. There would be no need for any trial period since the system is up, running and proved countrywide already. It is only we Dorset hicks that are ten years behind the times, with our traffic light mentality! JACK BIGGS Wyke Regis