HOW right Eric Leaver is about violence in schools (LET, January 23). Excuses should not be tolerated. Do-gooders say violence leads to more violence, but will they explain why, since we did away with capital and corporal punishment, there have been more murders, more violence, more robberies and sex crimes than ever?

It is time to bring them back. More money alone won't solve violence. Put the cane back on the teacher's desk. It is powerful treatment these hooligans need and deserve.

I also agree with Brian Ozenbrook's comments about our soldiers in Afghanistan. It is time Tony Blair and Jack Straw stayed in this country to tackle all the problems we have instead of swanning off to other countries trying to solve theirs.

We are sending millions of pounds to Afghanistan when our own essential services are crying out for more money.

GLADYS ROBINSON (Mrs), Edge End, Little Harwood.