A. P. TOBIAS's letter (Your Letters, June 12) regarding the punishment, by lashing, of four Britons in Saudi Arabia voices the opinion of the majority of law-abiding citizens. The exceptions are some "do-gooders" and Jack Straw, who is trying to stop the punishment because it is "inhumane".

It is time that Mr Straw and those of that ilk, who "molly coddle" criminals, were taken to see the inhumane acts perpetrated on our elderly who daily are battered almost beyond recognition in this "civilised" country of ours.

The pleas of these Britons to have their sentences increased rather than face the lashings is a sure indication of what criminals regard as a real deterrent. I would also guarantee that if the punishment was carried out, these particular Britons would not repeat such crimes. By contrast, our overcrowded jails are packed with miscreants who are repeatedly committing the same crime and costing law-abiding citizens a fortune each year to provide this "five-star" accommodation.

Tony Blair has repeatedly said over the past few weeks that to improve services will cost money. Well, Mr Blair, consider the cost to us of keeping criminals in jail and compare it with the Saudi deterrent, the birch. It costs about £20, including VAT.

The simple act of bringing back corporal punishment would quickly change attitudes in our society and reduce violent crime to the levels of many years ago, when both the young and the elderly could walk without fear.

B. S. LANSDALE