Goudarz Karimi makes comment about his being stopped when out running in his weight vest and comments that if he had been Caucasian and blond, no one would have noticed (Oxford Mail, October 5).

Incorrect, I suspect people would have noticed but probably not have been worried because sadly, thanks to al-Qaeda’s activities, people do tend to be worried when dark-skinned males walk or run past with what appears to be a garment which could contain explosives.

As a university student, surely Mr Karimi is trained to see the whole picture and it is a shame he almost plays the race card in his comments.

It’s a sad world since 9/11 and the London bombings and something we all have to live with. But we would rather live with it than die because some misguided idiot believes the misinterpreted teachings of a demented Mullah or Osama Bin Laden and chooses to turn himself into a human bomb.

I am sure that there was a high adrenalin rush also felt by the officers who attended and perhaps a comment may have been made which would not have been said under different circumstances. There are plus and minuses for both parties involved.

Mr Karimi should be glad that people noticed, it might be a friend or relative who suffers one day because nobody bothered to call in and as time goes on police officers will gain experience in dealing with these matters. But it’s a hard one to call.

Make allowances for them. They are only human.

CHRIS PAYNE Turnpike Road Bicester