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In reply to the letter (February 28) regarding the police presence outside the Rock Cafe 200, has C M Stevens-Wood thought for a second that maybe the Police were there to protect her daughter rather than accuse her of being a criminal?

I appreciate in today's 'think the worst' society the police rank quite highly on the list of people to have a pop at but there is the very distinct possibility the officers in question were seconded there so the people inside were safe.

Not that long ago I was a regular at the venue, at the same age as your daughter and whilst I'm sure she has been brought up properly there are thousands that age who are happier creating trouble.

As for police numbers, it may seem extreme but would you not be happier that your daughter had a good time and got home safely?

One reason I stopped going was because the people OUTSIDE the venue, who were the people causing the disturbances - drug dealers and older youths selling alcohol to the 14 and 15 year olds inside who popped out to smoke the cigarettes they had been illegally sold earlier - were not being dealt with by anyone, especially not the police.

Surely if that was a situation your child was put in you would be thankful for the police presence?

If I was a father and my daughter was going to a venue like that with the possibilities that could, and thankfully didn't, occur then I'd be happier for 400 officers to be at hand so she got home safely.

We slate 'em if they do and we slate 'em if they don't, the police really can't win!

Daniel Richards, Halesowen

3:00pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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