It cannot be a coincidence that the rates of homicide, burglary and attacks on women are at the highest rate in 10 years (Report, 19 October). The Tory government’s austerity measures must be a major contributory factor, plus their general uncaring attitude, while their whole focus is on Brexit, itself a gnawing anti-social business that is draining millions from the coffers. Such a depressing state of affairs.

Catherine Roome

Staplehurst, Kent

• Re Jamal Khashoggi (Report, 20 October), if this is what the House of Saud does in its embassies, what are they doing in their prisons?

Joseph Wood

Cork, Ireland

• It seems that Harry Holloway’s memory of the goldfish in the glass cisterns of a London public toilet is not deceiving him (Letters, 18 October). Geoffrey Fletcher, in The London Nobody Knows (1962), reports befriending the attendant at Holborn men’s lavatory who told him of a predecessor who was responsible for this. Goldfish were temporarily re-introduced for Norman Cohen’s 1969 film of the book, presented by James Mason.

Duncan Stacey

London

• How on earth can people constantly ignore Poison Ivy of the Cramps (Inspiring female guitarists, 18 October)? Beside fulfilling the roles of both lead and rhythm, she was the brains behind the band, and had the coolest of styles to match.

Phil Rhoden

Kidderminster, Worcestershire

• And a shout out for the great blues guitarist Memphis Minnie (Lizzie Douglas), whose version of When the Levee Breaks certainly inspired Led Zeppelin.

Nigel Turner

South Woodford, London

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