OF all the misery in the world and man's inhumanity to man you would think we could sink no lower.

There can be fewer crimes more heinous, more dastardly than that of 'gnome rustling' and now I read in the Evening Press (Teddies on parade, August 11) that the problem has degenerated to include 'concrete bear' theft.

For a person to sink to the depths of kidnapping defenceless garden folk is beyond my comprehension. One can only imagine the depravity, the sick mind that perpetrates this kind of cruelty.

The only saving grace for this despicable thief is to hand back teddy Homer immediately.

However, it is not unheard of for certain gnomes to take themselves off on a holiday at this time of year; similar behaviour could have spread to bears.

Take heart Margaret George, all is not lost; although sadly the same cannot be said about Homer.

Pamela Eagan,

The White House,

North Lane,

Malton Road, York.