IN response to Mr Dean Stevenson's remarks (Letters, August 12), what kind of person is naive enough to believe that in this day and age, something as insignificant as a lap dancing club will be a step backwards in terms of making the world a safer place?

Mr Stevenson's views suggest that anyone who has ever been to one of these clubs or watched pornographic material is more likely to be an adulterer, rapist or sex attacker.

I think the likelihood of whether someone is more likely or less likely to be like this is based on the mental stability of the individual.

I, personally, could never be influenced by anything other than my own belief that what I am doing is right and/or just, and I believe that many people think along those lines

People do commit crimes of a sexual nature, but I bet it's safe to say that not everyone who has committed one of these crimes has either watched pornography, or been to a lap dancing club.

Also, people from all walks of life commit adultery, rape and harass others, not just the 'well educated' and 'level headed,' as suggested in Mr Stevenson's comments.

In other countries, sex shops, brothels and lap dancing clubs are tolerated and accepted and it may be the small-mindedness of those who look at things like this with contempt and the view that people who visit these places are perverts who are causing problems in this country.

Maybe we as a nation need to be more tolerant.

MATTHEW BIRTWISTLE, Dryden Grove, Great Harwood.