WITH the police being under such pressure that much crime as it has been historically understood - eg assault, burglary, theft - goes ignored, except for issuing a crime number for insurance purposes, perhaps it is time to re-evaluate the definition of crime.

In most languages there is a version of a saying which my generation grew up with: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’. The words “hate crime” were meaningless and the police were allowed to get on with feeling the collars of real offenders against life and limb.

When my National Service intake were addressed, in our new uniforms, by our drill sergeant, as “a shower of pregnant octopuses - all arms and belly” we were not scarred mentally for life but appreciative of his wit, which rather relieved the apprehension and fear of the unknown that we all felt at the time.

Another contemporary saying was “worse things happen at sea” with reference to what would nowadays require a public apology if not actual resignation or dismissal. Autres temps, autres moeurs.

A V Martin, Westfield Close, Wigginton, York