Illustration by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com 

• MOST disturbing to read about cyclists being targeted by thieves, (Fears violent thefts may deter cycle use, October 19).

Whatever next? Surely the basic problem is the lack of police funding.

However the government’s strategy with any service they run down seems to be that it provides a golden opportunity for the private sector to step in with a solution.

How long, for example, will it be before cycle manufacturers design and market armoured bicycles which will be able to deter or even foil thieves? I’m thinking spiked Boudicca wheels and that sort of thing.

Or even Jumbo Escort Ltd, a company that can supply a couple of warrior elephants to be hired by cycling clubs to protect their members out on a Sunday run.

This would all help achieve the magic growth that Liz Truss – and just about everybody else – seems to think is essential to our future survival.

The alternative is unthinkable. Adequately fund our essential services? Only some insane communist is going to come up with an idea like that!

RD WILLIAMS, WC1