We have a responsibility to give them as much protection as possible.

A police spokesman said having an officer on duty was not something that was being considered but did not give an adequate reason why not.

It cannot be that they are over-stretched during the New Year period since Dundee, unlike some other cities, has no official celebration.

If there isn’t an available police constable — and we keep hearing how many of their former jobs are being civilianised to allow them back on to the front line — the authorities should consider basing a community warden in the hospital during the worst periods.

We owe it to our doctors and nurses. — Astonished West Ender.

THE PRESENCE of a uniformed police officer at Ninewells Hospital’s A&E department would be a deterrent.

Such a presence can only be a godsend to staff who put up with some unbelievable abuse.

As for the uniformed patrol in the car park and grounds, that must be the most sought after job as all the bother is in the A&E department.

Surely police resources are not too far stretched to afford a presence where it is obviously needed. — B. C., Monifieth.

The subject of Dundee’s own Trinny and Suzanna’s preference for anonymity led to a rather interesting break at work recently as we thought who they might be.

One wag thought of 80s pop duo Renee and Renata. Another favoured Jamesie and Ella Cotter from Rab C. Nesbitt.

But the unanimous vote went to an older colleague who suggested the 70s sitcom pairing of Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce, aka George and Mildred.

The upshot was that an otherwise drab 15-minute mid-morning break became much longer and noisier, to the annoyance of our office manager.

So thanks guys, or guy and gal, whoever you may be. — F. P. R.

Alex Salmond and his three SNP colleagues deserve a special mention.

Their carefully-staged mass walkout at Westminster, following Perth MP Annabelle Ewing’s refusal to withdraw comments she had made about Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, was in stark contrast to their party’s actions back in 1991.

Then, like their Liberal colleagues and others now keen to be seen defending Scottish regiments, they were posted missing in action as the Conservative government went on to axe four English regiments along with three Scottish regiments — the Cameronians, Gordon Highlanders and the Highland Light Infantry. — L. M. L., Dundee.

ANY LABOUR councillor or party official opposed to the merger of our Scottish regiments, must now decide whether he or she can, in conscience, stay in a political party that has betrayed them.

Anyone who supported the campaign to save The Black Watch should use his or her vote wisely in the forthcoming General Election. — R. G., Kirriemuir.