I also have to take issue with Daniel Small in his letter to The ET ("Prison is not the right answer", August 20).

Prison, what does it mean to criminals? Use of telephones to the outside world, internet access/e-mail, accommodation and food, newspapers, TV, games machines, gyms, education etc. This is what the criminal class have to look forward to if caught.

Don't use deprivation, being poorly educated, jobless, or involved in drugs as excuses for falling into a life of crime.

All of us face the same pressures to some degree, but the majority get by, never offend, live productive lives and are a benefit to society.

When this country starts to go back a little and impose a zero tolerance ethic in our prisons, just maybe the prison population might just decide it is better not to offend.

While we mollycoddle them, let them obtain drugs at will, run a gang system, abuse prison officers and use the legal system to claim farcical damages, the prison population will sit there laughing at us.

My sympathy is solely with the victims.

Their well-being is far more important than that of the criminals.
ROGER HUGHES
Mountbatten Way,
Westwood,
Peterborough

Post office building should stay
I AM in business and, like many people, have very little spare time.

I benefit greatly from the services offered to me in the Cowgate area, which I can quickly reach by car.

This is a flourishing part of the city, and I am greatly dismayed that it is to be meddled with for the sake of creating a useless area of open space.

There are many people like me needing practical, useful shops and services, such as the central post office, which is indispensable, the newsagent and nearby banks.

All of these serve me in one swoop, within the period of time my car is on the meter.

Individual shops with easy car access are every bit as vital in a city as large, enclosed shopping centres.

The post office is very much in demand, with large queues spilling out onto the pavement.

It makes no sense to knock this building down and destroy a number of successful businesses, particularly with a recession likely.
M A RANDALL
Manor House Street,
Peterborough


A landmark worth keeping
I write in connection with councillor John Peach's letter ("Decision not yet made on future of landmark hotel", ET, August 19).

Today, I walked by the Great Northern Hotel at King's Cross, in London (situated between King's Cross Station and St Pancras International Station).

I was amazed at what was taking place. The London hotel is being developed, not demolished as could happen in Peterborough.

I think the developers of Peterborough's station quarter should visit the site and see that landmarks are saved not demolished.

Once again, please keep the Great Northern Hotel in Peterborough.