MR Dean King and L Lawes (Letters, July 4 and 5) wonder how the police define acts of racism. Well, they are able to as a result of the draconian laws which practically make it an offence to have the word 'racism' -- perhaps unbeknown to yourself -- in your thoughts, but which bring about the materialisation of the Orwellian Thought Police.

If police and government would openly recognise that there is a racial problem instead of pawing out banal statements such as "Everything is under control" and "It's the fault of the National Front," then they might find a lasting solution to the racial problem.

A SEDGWICK (Mr), Lyndhurst Avenue, Blackburn.