IN recent years the number of crimes of violence has steadily increased and the general public has become deeply concerned - and rightly so.

I believe that people perpetrating these crimes should be sentenced to terms of imprisonment which should normally be served in full.

I feel that where a child is murdered a presiding judge should be empowered to impose the death penalty - to be carried out by lethal injection and not the mediaeval method of hanging! I appreciate that this opinion will not meet with universal approval!

I do not believe that people convicted of non-violent crimes - such as shoplifting, not paying fines, possession of cannabis - should be imprisoned at all. We have far too many people imprisoned for committing very minor crimes, and the cost of keeping them "in the nick" is far too great. Some form of community service should suffice.

In the Wyre Forest district the number of police employed has not varied greatly over recent years. But the manner in which they are employed is the problem. I want to see the "bobby on the beat" - not swanning around in panda cars!

West Mercia Police should also seriously consider reviving the local village or estate policeman who lives in the community and becomes an integral part of it.

I believe that the system of lay magistrates should be ended. They should be replaced by lawyers acting as stipendiary magistrates - people who should know the legal system intimately.

The imposition of European Union laws on Britain should be resisted. All laws applied to the UK should first be approved by Westminster after full and searching debate and not be activated by EU directives.

The question of law and order is a very emotive one. We all have our own firm views on the matter, and they vary greatly. I should appreciate yours.