Madam,

I really believe Mr Hinge should be challenged on his comments regarding the “tooled up” article you featured.

Firstly, the comparison of children peacefully walking with their parents, and serious public disorder during the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland is breathtaking.

It’s staggering that Mr Hinge can make this statement. If he spoke to people who lived through that frightening time, he’d I’m sure come to his senses and withdraw that careless and unhelpful remark.

Secondly, he says that the police were there with no visible, shields, or helmets. Well, Mr Hinge, that’s called standard police uniform. I mean what does he expect the police to wear?

Also, I would love to hear what evidence Mr Hinge has of the police looking for trouble, and being provocative. Is this his opinion without evidence? Or is this a deeper issue Mr Hinge has with the police ? I have no evidence for this, something I suspect I have in common with Mr Hinge.

We’ve seen on the news recently appalling behaviour dished out by the police in Hong Kong. We are fortunate we live in the United Kingdom, where you can protest, have your voice heard, without the fear of violence by the police force. As I witnessed on the news, the police in Hong Kong were “tooled up” and they certainly were in 1970s Northern Ireland.

My advice to Mr Hinge is to build bridges and relationships with the police, not make public accusations, based on no evidence.

Yours etc, Dale Thomas, Cae Meirion, Llangwyrfon, Aberystwyth.

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page