THE ever-reasonable and tolerant Heather Causnett writes in defence of Hugh Bayley's loyal support for the Government over 90-day detention without trial (Letters, November 11).

And indeed how could anyone oppose such a measure?

As Mark Steel recently pointed out, something must be done about the millions of us who daily slip through the police net on the trivial technicality of not actually having committed a crime.

Wouldn't it be much safer if we were all locked up as a precaution and let out only when we proved our innocence?

Seriously, I'm sure I'm not the only one relieved that Parliament has, for once, woken up and - while not blocking any extension - at least slowed down the relentless Government attack on our ancient civil freedoms.

The rights our ancestors won, to trial by jury, not to be locked up without evidence, to free speech and protest, are the bedrock of the (limited) democracy we have.

We never surrendered these rights during two world wars nor the IRA bombing campaigns - it would be a betrayal of our history to throw them away now through fear.

Now no doubt someone will come out with that old favourite mantra of police states everywhere "nothing to hide, nothing to fear".

But consider two recent cases: innocent Brazilian student Jean Charles de Menezes shot dead in London; and pensioner Walter Wolfgang, manhandled and detained at the Labour Party's conference for daring to heckle Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Then ask yourself, is there any reason that could not have been me?

The truth is we all have something to fear from a state out of control.

Ben Drake,

Danum Road,

Fulford,

York.

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, November 16, 2005