Profiling of suspects is the most efficient method of narrowing down the list of possible suspects. There is no other practical way of catching the terrorists. I disagree with Susan Lythgoe's view that "if the Asian community objects to these searches, then they must unite to publicly renounce the actions of the bombers." How can publicly renouncing terrorism stop searches? Does a searcher know who has publicly renounced or not. Secondly, all Asians are not Muslims. Finally, all Muslims do not sympathise with the terrorists.
Vinay Mehra, Purley, SurreyEven after 9/11 my Government continues to ignore the likely source of more terrorist attacks and refuse to profile. Common sense has been replaced by political correctness and multiculturalism. When will we ever realize that these two philosophies are complete failures and dangerous to the survival of our two great nations? William Mode, Knoxville, Kentucky
Hazel Blears is not saying that she endorses a stop and search policy that would ignore racial profiling, but simply stating that police intelligence should be the predominant driving force behind these campaigns. From what we have seen, intelligence has provided mainly Asian suspects which, in turn, motivates a policy concentrated on this particular racial group. Effectively, Blears and Johnston's statements lead to the same thing and only differ subtly in approach. Personally, I value the former as it highlights the danger of a cavalier attitude to racial profiling, which led to the death of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes because, presumably, he looked vaguely darker than the average Londoner. Samantha Pearson, Oxford
I admire the Asians who say that they do not have a problem with racially-directed stop and search, and I cannot fathom the white people who are protesting against it; are you feeling left out or something? It is not racism, discrimination or whatever you are calling it; it is common sense. Marcus Gleave, Sheffield, S Yorks
I fail to understand the reaction of some members of ethnic minority groups to being stopped and searched. If you have nothing to hide, where is the shame in being monitored in that way? Steps that are taken to prevent the deaths and maiming of innocent citizens are surely more important than bruised egos? I certainly do not look down on people who are checked by the police; rather I respect them for showing solidarity with society as a whole at a time of national danger. Edward Johns, La Roche Derrien, France
Criminal and racial profiling are important tools for a stretched police force, and I support their use. I spent so many years as a scruffily dressed white teenager being followed by shop security guards and by police when I was out after dark that many of the police now know me by name, and while profiling can be annoying it can help in deterring crime. These searches will be far less invasive than the ones carried out at airports. I was searched seven times at Heathrow, including once where I had to take off everything but my underwear. The more accepting you are the less painful the process is. Amanda McKay, SE London
As an Asian man, I don't think I would mind too much the inconvenience of being searched from time to time if that means it would deter terrorists from carrying out further attacks. I only hope the policemen concerned go about it in a cordial and courteous manner. If that happens, I don't see why anybody should have a problem. I read somewhere that during the height of the IRA terror campaign in the 70s you were more likely to be stopped and searched in London if you were a young white male driving a van. So I hope no community feels offended by this - and at the same time the police show a bit of sensitivity while going about it. Kaul Rohit, Tring, Hertfordshire
The lives of members of the public cannot be put at risk simply to satisfy the sensitivities of any particular group in society. With the police having limited manpower, of course stop and search should be based on racial profiling. Muslims and Asians need to understand that insisting on a racially blind policy will make other British people wonder where their loyalties lie. The argument that the terrorists will just start using white blonde people is palpable nonsense. When I was in the US two or three months after 9/11 I was constantly picked out for special searches, due to my habit of dressing down for air travel. As I had nothing to hide it did not bother me one bit - why would it? Derek Sinclair, Dundee
Its simple common sense and a matter of the best use of a limited resource - to profile and target the most likely suspects - Hazel Blears needs to get in touch with the real world and stop pandering to minority views. Marion Spencer, Newton Stewart, Galloway
Isn't it intelligence enough that all the terrorist attacks in recent times have been carried out by people of this description? I wonder, if the terrorists had all been fat, ginger haired white people, would the do-gooders of the country have still declared that stopping and searching all fat ginger haired white people was discrimination. Jessica Dowse, York
As a Briton of Asian origin, I have no hesitation in supporting selective searching of commuters. This is the most efficient way of using our police resources. I constantly hear about the anger of Muslim men about such selective policies. The vast majority of those affected are not even Muslim. It seems that there is a constituency of Muslims that is determined to build a perception of Muslim victimisation for ulterior motives. Raj, London
We all want a terror-free society; one where everyone is treated equally. If the police decide to search people based on the colour of their skin or the look of their face, I think we should support them. The question we should be asking is how we can contribute to ridding our society of ideologies that promote destruction of human life for an unjustifiable cause. If the police's contribution is to stop and search all non-white males, I think we should co-operate with them. By so doing, we would have made our own contribution in ensuring that our society is rid of people who kill others to make a point. The war is against an ideology, not religion or race, and if people of certain race or religion are known to hold such an ideology, then it is not a misplaced decision to target the stop and search policy on them. Ensuring a terror-free UK is the duty of us all. Kalu Azuma, Cambridge
Ian Johnston is not trying to antagonise the public; he is trying to protect us by using the resources he has most effectively. It is a very sensitive subject, but it is not an ideal situation for anybody. Lorna Jones, Isleworth, Middlesex
I respect Tony Blair but he does appear to pick some daft women for ministerial appointments. As a rule, I believe that women ministers can be more effective that some of their male counterparts but there have been many examples of these Blair "babes" operating outside the real world when it comes to handling their ministerial responsibilities. When we are being bombed by a particular group in our community - be it Irish, Muslims or little old ladies with Sainsbury's bags - then I expect the authorities to concentrate their efforts on that group rather than the populace at large. If the target group ever becomes balding, over-weight white men in their fifties, I will submit to stop-and-search willingly. Keith Downer, London
Racial profiling is sensible, just by considering the bombers; although a great many police are on the streets they do not have the resources to blanket these checks over the entire population. The police know their jobs, let them decide who needs to be stopped and search to make London safer. Paul Beckett, London
Suicide bombings are not a disease of western culture. We only die when we absolutely have no choice. Therefore, to racially profile is absolutely correct. Instead of complaining of unfair treatment, the Muslim community should stand up to the hate for the West that permeates their society and causes this abhorrent practice. David Thijm, Stourbridge, West Midlands
Hazel Blears appears to be living in a dream world. The suggestion that police should only stop and search people based on intelligence is tantamount to saying that police should only arrest suicide bombers. This is of course impossible. The police must deter and hinder terrorists, something which rightly is achieved by targeting those socio-ethnic groups that have been responsible. For the greater safety of all citizens, the police should stop and search people who broadly fit the descriptions. Has there ever been or will there ever be a granny suicide bomber? Name and address withheld
Of course the police won't be searching little old ladies, white or otherwise. They are looking for suicide bombers, and will follow the profile - young, usually male (though not always) and Asian. One such was quoted as saying that lots of white backpackers passed while he was being searched. Well, they were unlikely suspects, based on intelligence received. If the Asian community objects to these searches, then they must unite to publicly renounce the actions of the bombers. Susan Lythgoe, Preston, Lancashire
