I must admit to roaring with laughter at Ms Lynch's letter regarding the treatment of the lad who was caught shoplifting.

It amused me because it highlights the problems local do-gooders' have with their opinions. The actions the police took were put in place some years ago to protect the very human rights that Ms Lynch alleges were being infringed.

The law states that once arrested the detainee must be taken to a place where their rights can be explained in full by the proper authority. In this case the police custody sergeant. This must be done as soon as practically possible and any delay - say a brief tour of the back streets of Suttton, would be unacceptable.

Therefore Ms Lynch is actually condoning a breach of the lad's human rights. I believe the police acted completely properly in this case and I hope the boy's shame and humiliation at being paraded in front of the community might prevent a repeat of his behaviour, as I also have no doubt that any punishment he receives from the courts, if indeed it were to get there, would be no deterrent at all.

M REILLY Nightingale Road Carshalton