I FEEL compelled to write in response to what I read in the national newspapers.

It really does fill me with a deep sense of betrayal having served in the Army for a total of 12 years, Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, to think that our police have turned into a bunch of softies who are going to claim large sums of money in compensation for doing a job that they are well paid for to start with.

I would hate to think what would happen if every soldier in a riot situation put a claim in for stress-related illness.

I doubt if the government would have enough money in its coffers to pay half of the claims that could be submitted, my own included.

I really do believe that once a person puts on a uniform, no matter what branch of the service he or she has signed up to, they should relinquish all rights to claim, unless it has rendered them disabled.

I believe that we are heading down the same route as the Americans, claiming for anything and everything.

MICHAEL RAE,

Bury.