I WOULD like to point out to Ahmed Cadiz (Student: Why I cannot wait to leave', Mailbox, April 11) that all of our UK society has become more violent.

Successive governments pamper to the Treasury because it is costly to put people in prison, therefore the punitive punishments don't fit the crimes so there is no deterrent.

I would have to say, though, that Nottingham has one of the highest statistics (bar London) for armed robbery. Last year, I went to East Midlands Airport via Nottingham and was amazed to see how many students were studying nearby - did you not get in?

Unfortunately, I was delayed on my return journey and had to travel from Derby to Birkenhead.

I would have felt much safer in my home town than I did in that particular bus station, which is not that far from Nottingham.

As regards "the people who live here" accepting it as normal', we all know it is not, but until some political party makes some radical changes in the law we are powerless to stop it. Most people simply cannot afford to move away!

I wish you well in your studies and hope that you find a nice place to settle in England.

An Eternal Optimist,Oxton(name and address supplied)