I AM dismayed by David Qaurrie's lack of understanding (Letters, February 3) - and previous correspondents - on racial mixing in York.

How many of these correspondents have lived among different racial groups as I did in Sheffield before coming to this "white enclave".

If they were to read the local papers in racially-mixed areas, these people would see most of the crime and disorder still seems to be committed by people with names such Jason and Wayne, rather than Winston or Sanjit.

I am sure the writers' opinions are sincerely held and not hateful, but fear they are borne out of ignorance and an easy confusion between cultural difference and racial difference.

Mr Quarrie, people of other races are "exactly the same as us". If you were to compare the difference in cultural values between the criminal white underclasses found in some parts of York, and the middle classes of the Mount and Holgate (where both of us live), you would find a far greater difference than you would between two neighbours or colleagues of different races.

York does not lack cultural diversity, (in fact it has too much at times), but it does lack a healthy dash of racial mixing. It's the only thing I miss about Sheffield... and the trams!

Andy Scaife,

Suffolk House,

Lowther Terrace,

York.

Updated: 11:20 Tuesday, February 10, 2004