Thankfully the question of ID cards is to be revisited. Obviously the libertarians and liberal do-gooders will attempt to alarm the hordes of red-top readers.

It is these activists who have helped reduce British society to the most disgraceful level of crime and disrespect ever. Society is the sum of its constituent members. When individual members are unaccountable, effective management of society is impossible.

The greatest threat to civil liberties and personal freedoms is an unmanageable society and the antisocial behaviour and crime engendered.

Every citizen needs to be accountable and legitimised from birth. DNA and biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan) should be recorded at birth. One's personal National Insurance number should be used throughout one's life -- on driving licences and passports -- and included in utility, telephone, mobile phone and bank account numbers. This should also be the number on an ID card.

It will be impossible for someone to adopt an alter ego and conceal their real name and commit crime. One person -- one number.

Persons visiting the UK should be issued with a card and visitor number.

Arguments against ID cards on the grounds of cost are specious nonsense. It is often said that the cost of rolling out an ID scheme would put more police on the beat.

The sight of patrolling bobbies may well reassure people, but the effect is largely cosmetic.

In today's world, solving crime is about detection and the application of high-tech forensics. When yobs see a bobby, they stop whatever nefarious activity they are engaged in until the bobby has passed.

How is a passing bobby going to deter a burglar? It takes only one hair from a criminal's head to tie him or her to the scene of a crime if his or her DNA is on file.

The measures I am proposing would slash crime materially and save the often futile cost of detection.

Those of you who want to live in a society with less fear from crime and terrorism should put aside your personal interests and prejudices and join a society where you are proud to be accountable and happy to root out those who aren't.

ID cards are our best chance of preventing crime and terrorism. Support the Government in its efforts to get this through Parliament. Jay Denson, The Green, Charlbury