ON YOUR front page a couple of weeks ago, an article was printed telling of an incident where a man was reported to have been in possession of a sword in a public street. It also showed a policeman pointing a weapon at the man.

It turned out to be a child’s rubber toy. I had to have a quiet laugh to myself at how paranoid a large percentage of people are getting in this day and age.

I know we should all be more vigilant, but please get a proper look before informing the police.

You might be lucky that you may not have to wait more than an hour before any of them turn up.

I still think that people now are getting over-cautious.

I wonder if the person who reported this was living during the Second World War, as there were scores of very realistic looking weapons of every kind that were all toys.

In those days, in the early ’40s, that was all we played with. No adult batted an eyelid and nobody panicked.

Also in those days there was none of that health and safety clique.

I have a photograph of a family in the wartime where an army sergeant is meeting his family and is probably on his way home for some leave.

He is letting his two young sons carry his rifle.

I can just imagine the look of horror on the faces of the health and safety lot and today’s young policemen, even though the bolt and the magazine had been removed, making it completely harmless.

The present time is far too namby pamby and all punishment is taboo. Bring back the birch.

At 78 I don’t wish myself any younger, what’s the point.

Get used to it, no-one can stop the march of time.

R THOMAS, (Ex-national serviceman, 1951-53 and, 14 years territorial 1957-70), Woodlands Park, Radley