Sir, The Defence Secretary is asking me to be more vigilant (report, March 15).

Last December on a weekday at around 6pm I was travelling on the Northern Tube line. As we were deep underground between Angel and King’s Cross I noticed, standing by the doors in the centre of the carriage, a dark-skinned man of perhaps 20 years dressed in a black top and black trousers. On his back was a small rucksack. He was holding a book and I could see the print looked Arabic in style. He was chanting. I was petrified. The Tube was half full and all heads were down.

I considered my options. Challenge him and risk personal attack? Nil points for courage. Seek assistance from other passengers? Unlikely, as Tube travellers always avoid trouble. Use surprise, attack him, haul him to the ground and check his rucksack? Presumably I would be prosecuted for assault and sued for millions.

I did nothing. I don’t have any answers. I believe the war against Iraq (and against terrorism) was totally justified. I accept my lot and that of all my colleagues working in the heart of London. However, Geoff Hoon’s fatuous utterances were not a good start to a Monday morning.

Yours faithfully,
TONY DRURY,
39 Redwood Glade,
Leighton Buzzard LU7 3JT.
March 17.

From Mr Christopher Hodson

Sir, This morning, no more than a week after 200 people were killed while using a mode of transport that is the life blood of this city too, I passed through two of the busiest transport hubs in London, Clapham Junction and Victoria train stations. I saw no policemen or women patrolling either station.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner says a terrorist attack is inevitable and that in all likelihood it will be aimed at our public transport (report, March 17). Can he explain the complete lack of a visible police presence at these two stations? The police should be out conducting spot bag checks and keeping a trained eye over commuters. At least then I will feel some measure of security.

Yours faithfully,
CHRISTOPHER HODSON,
Resolution Property,
42 Bruton Place, W1J 6PA.
March 17.

From Mr Drew Campbell

Sir, The appalling attacks on the Madrid rail system were triggered by mobile phones.

What price now the proposals by London Underground (In brief, February 17) to install technology that would allow mobile phones to operate on even the deepest lines of our own capital’s transport system?

Yours faithfully,
DREW CAMPBELL,
37 Pembroke Road,
Baldock, Hertfordshire SG7 6DB.
March 16.

From Mr Tony Adams

Sir, There can be little doubt that this country will soon suffer a terrorist attack. When this happens the finger of blame will rightly point at the Government’s shameful neglect of its primary responsibility to protect its citizens.

We have what should be enviably easily policed borders and an Immigration Service that has doubled (or more) in size and cost over the past ten years.

Despite this, we have many thousands of apparently untraceable illegal immigrants, possibly including an unknown number of potential terrorists, and a Home Office that seeks to conceal its ineptitude by blaming junior staff for the chaos of its immigration policy. I consider that we owe a considerable debt of gratitude to Mr Steve Moxon (report, March 9) and his efforts to shine a light on just one dark corner of the Home Office’ s neglect and mishandling of immigration.

Yours,
TONY ADAMS
(HM Immigration Service, 1975-97),
57 St Leonards Road,
Deal, Kent CT14 9AU.
March 16.

Explore Letters

• Feedback