Letter: Changed tactics

During the ongoing riots and arson why can't the police use the same water cannons, kettling, smoke grenades, tear gas, Tasers, horse charges and all the other restraining tactics used to control peaceful political demonstrators? Is there something here we need to be watchful of? Don't the rights of ordinary people in ordinary properties and everyday businesses count here?

Or is dealing with real violence a health and safety issue for them?

John Addison

Pentlandfield

Roslin, Midlothian

I cannot understand the sense in sending van-loads of policemen from Grampian police like some "Keystone cops" hit team down to northern England where they have no local knowledge or jurisdiction, incurring additional costs for the taxpayer.

Grampian police are frequently complaining about being underfunded and overworked with having the additional duties oflooking after the North Sea industry and the Royals when they are at Balmoral. This knee-jerk political decision is ill conceived, expensive and plain daft and the sooner we have a single Scottish police force the better.

Dennis Grattan

Mugiemoss Road

Bucksburn, Aberdeen