Christine Hills (Jan 18) condemns the fact that no one offered to help her grand-daughter when she suffered a flat tyre in Rayleigh.

Some time ago I spotted a woman in a similar predicament.

I stopped my car and approached her and offered to assist.

However, instead of being grateful for my offer, she started screaming loudly for help, accusing me of trying to harm her.

I tried to explain to her that I meant no harm and was only trying to assist, which resulted in her screaming even louder!

I quickly decided it was best to leave the scene for my own safety.

Sadly, that experience has resulted in me keeping well away from similar incidents since.

I know I am no threat to any woman or child.

However, I now fear for my own safety, although my true instinct is to offer help.

I know a number of men who would not offer help in similar instances, because they, too, fear they would be wrongly seen as an attacker or paedophile.

Unfortunately, this is the downside of the paranoia that has developed in recent years and, sadly, women and children are the losers.

George Pearson
Noak Hill Road
Billericay