Violent offences

In March, offences involving knives or sharp instruments had risen by 16 per cent to 40,147. The total number of homicides, (murder and manslaughter), also rose by 12 per cent from the previous year.

At the same time, separate statistics released by the Home Office show that the number of police officers fell in the year, to 122,404 officers as of March 31, from 123,142 a year ago. It is the lowest number of police officers since comparable records began in 1996.

The statistics once again highlight that the country is in the grip of a knife crime wave. This is a national crisis, yet, Conservative Ministers are refusing to give a real boost to police budgets and specialist anti-knife crime work.

The new Home Secretary has got to prove he is up to the job, and he must start by securing funding for more community police officers and investing in specialist anti-knife crime projects and youth services.

Kamran Hussai

Yorkshire and Humber Liberal Democrats Regional Chair

World Cup supporters

I was very impressed by the behaviour of supporters at the World Cup in Russia, which many Star readers will have watched on television.

Despite fears of racism and homophobia, not to mention the possibility of terrorism, the tournament went very well.

Both sets of fans sat together happily all around the grounds.

John C Fowler

Leverton Gardens, S11

System needs simplifying

My wife died some months ago and I had an unbelievable number of hoops to jump through just to get her Post Office account closed down.

Why put people through a lot of stress when they are at their most vulnerable?

The “system” needs simplifying.

Max Nottingham

Lincoln

Life after Brexit

Someone asked me what I would like to see after Brexit.

When I got home I laid on the settee and drifted off to a land where all immigrants who came here demanding houses, sponging off the state and ruining the NHS, were being shipped back home.

All our corner shops back in the hands of Arkwrights.

Walking down the packed city centre on a Saturday dinner time.

All our industries as we knew them back in the swing of things.

Everywhere clean and tidy.

People being polite.

Life is a doddle.

People who were brought up on pounds and ounces, feet and inches, who think they are being clever speaking metric being publicly flogged for being traitors to Great Britain.

I awoke, it was all a dream. I’m still living in scruffy Sheffield where a loony Labour council is all out to destroy what’s still left and wanting more immigrants.

I’m glad I have not long for those pearly gates.

Sir Peter Huntsman

Sheffield, S2

Castlegate potential

A few weeks ago I was talking Sheffield Castle to some interested young folk in a pop-up bar at the bottom of Exchange Street on a Friday night.

Outside a very diverse celebration was going on organised by the Castlegate Community.

It was an illustration of the potential of this area and reflected both a success and the need for all the partners, not the least councillors and council officer, involved in the regeneration of this historic but badly run down area to step up a gear. More please.

Ron Clayton

Sheffield, S6

May the Lord help us

Who would I support?

An American president who was elected on a manifesto that puts his country first and once elected attempts to implement that manifesto.

The downside is he is morally bankrupt and is not diplomatic.

A British Prime Minister who has ignored a referendum and together with her colleagues will implement her version of Brexit because, as she knows, politicians know best .

However she is a vicar’s daughter.

Or should I support Jeremy, friend of IRA murderers and Islamic terrorists, supporter of women’s rights but unable to condone his shadow chancellor when he suggested a female MP should be hanged, a man who heads a party with a serious anti-semitism problem.

On the plus side he does have an allotment.

It’s a tough call.

All I know is that if this is the best we can do for leadership may the Lord help us.

P Robb

Sheffield, S20

Thanks for the pathway

Just a line to thank the relevant person who gave permission for a Tarmac pathway through the ancient little woodland at the end of Helmton Drive that leads directly up to Graves Park.

We have lived in the area for 36 years and used the rock pathway all that time.

You have restored my faith somewhat in the Sheffield Council if this was their decision.

I say thank you from all the people in this area who use it.

E Shaw

Sheffield, S8

Stop holding his hand

Theresa May, it’s all crumbling down around her.

Her big buddy Donnie sticks the knife in, you have to feel for her.

The one thing I would say is stop holding the Donald’s hand.

Why do you have to keep taking his hand?

Leave it out.

Jayne Grayson

Sheffield, S35