OVER the last few years we have withdrawn the rights for parents and teachers to discipline children.

We are now installing police into schools to act as a deterrent to achieve the same aims (Bobbies in our schools, The Press, April 18).

This seems to be a bit extreme.

One reason given is that this will create a better understanding between pupils, parents, teachers and the police and lead to less crime, antisocial behaviour and problems at home and school.

What about the rest of the general public who have no children at school?

Are we to allow any Tom, Dick or paedophile to wander the corridors of learning on the pretext of looking for the local bobby, or do we have to make an appointment to report a crime?

Another reason given is that local police stations "may not be staffed 24 hours a day". Do I take it that the schools will be? The National Union of Teachers will not be happy about that.

In Acomb we have a perfectly suitable building, which used to be a police station, situated in the centre of the community. Surely an office and desk could be found there more easily than a school, or is the whole thing just a PR exercise?

A P Cox, Heath Close, Holgate, York.