I WRITE to support the letter (November 4) from Alex Barnicott.
Personally, I do not have any profound philosophical objection to identity cards, although I respect the views of those who do.
My objection is practical. As Mr Barnicott rightly states, there is no evidence that countries with ID Card systems are any safer or more secure than the UK is without one. The Government is planning to spend over three billion pounds on a system which is unlikely to make any difference at all against terrorism, international crime or illegal immigration.
Having spoken to many dedicated and hard-working police officers in West Devon and Torridge over the past year, I am convinced that the three billion pounds would be much better spent on making their role easier and more effective.
Three billion pounds would buy 10,000 more police across the country. There would also be the funds to equip the force much better. Palm-top computers issued to every beat officer, for instance, would enable the police to relay statements straight to the station, without the need to come back to base and laboriously transcribe hand-written notes.
In this sparsely populated area, it is very difficult for the police, with the numbers they have at the moment, to maintain a presence everywhere that they are needed. The priority must be to reinforce them and free them from office work in the police station. That really would strike a blow against crime and the fear of crime.
David Walter
Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate
West Devon and Torridge