Readers' letters - March 24

The latest terrorist attacks, this time targeting Brussels, must come as little surprise. Isil warned last year that they would use the migrant crisis engulfing the European Union to infiltrate the refugees with their jihadists to wreak havoc with terrorist attacks.

The situation has been ongoing since early last year and still nothing constructive has happened to resolve it, other than a shambolic “deal” with Turkey which will lead to allowing early membership of the EU of its 77million citizens.

This will just add to the problems already being faced by the security services of member states, as the terrorists are now targeting the transport systems to cause “lock-down” situations, as in Brussels, inflicting as many casualties and as much disruption as possible.

What should be happening is a security clampdown on all migrants to establish their credentials as well as scrutinising members of the local ethnic communities and ensuring all are eligible to remain and, for those who are not, deported, or, in the case of terrorists, justice must take its course.

Thanks to the human rights brigade, the terrorist groups appear to be gaining ground and, unless firm action is taken, these atrocities, along with the death and destruction, will continue.

David Cameron stated that we will be stronger and our streets safer by remaining in the EU. What has happened in Paris and now Brussels, as well as the events in Germany on New Year’s Eve, tell a completely different story.

Only leaving the EU can start to make us stronger and once again safer, we will then be in control of our own security matters and doing what is best for Britain and the British people.

Vote for Brexit.

Philip Griffiths

North West President UKIP

young people

The dangers of ‘sexting’

The advantages of a young person having a mobile phone are obvious and well known, security being one. What appears to be far less well known or ignored are the dangers. Recent reports in this country and America indicate that thousands of children are at risk of appalling damage from the growing use of sexting.

Recent grooming scandals demonstrate that young girls and boys are open and susceptible to paedophiles and groomers. The plague of sexting in our schools is now so serious that the Education Secretary has been asked to tell schools to place more emphasis on the dangers of sexting and report cases to the police.

Sexting can have devastating consequences that can last a lifetime. Sexually explicit photographs are being sent between teenagers and between them and adults. Sometimes this is being done in the classroom. The reasons are varied. As a dare, impulse or in reply to a request are common reasons. Circulation of naked images among friends then takes place. Within a very short time, however, the images are on a social networking site. The consequences can be disastrous.

Studies reveal that the victims often try to hide their distress and/ or resort to self-harming and drugs. School work invariably suffers. Guilt, shame and serious depression are also common. The NSPCC know of many cases where blackmail then enters the picture.

Sexting is no longer a bit of fun, it has become an urgent social problem which must be addressed.

Parents, teachers, politicians health professionals and mobile phone companies all need to do more to make young people aware of the dangers inherent in sexting.

Barry Clayton via email