ON READING Susan Stockwell’s rather facile letter in Monday’s Echo, this time extolling the virtues of cyclists in crime prevention (I challenged her last assertion that the presence of cycle lanes were the primary reason for the property values in Sandbanks), it seemed well intentioned if a little ‘cycle-centric’.

Of course people want the reassurance of seeing the police back on the beat but times have changed and invariably police appeals for witnesses now frequently ask for dashcam or CCTV footage. Repeated unsupported assertions, made without citing any statistical evidence, do not turn comments into facts.

A further example is seen in her letter in today’s Echo in which she effectively states that those who watch and enjoy the air show are inconsiderate and contemptuous of the environment.

What claim does tomorrows letter bring? Cycling gives you healthier teeth because fewer cyclists have dentures?

ROGER BENTLEY
Manor Road, Bournemouth