I refer to Barry Archibald’s letter ‘Orgreave inquiry is a must’ (September 24).

While I am not surprised that a full inquiry has been ruled out I would have liked to see some independent review of that dreadful event in 1984. I would have wanted that review to look not only at the police role in the dispute but also the role of the Miners Union and its followers.

In 1984 I was a young police officer living in the Selby area and spent 13 months as part of the policing team sent to mines in and around Selby coalfield. To some of the miners we were “Maggie’s boot boys” but to the general community we were there to ensure the lawful process of peaceful picketing was upheld and people were allowed to go about their business without threats, intimidation and violence.

There is no doubt this dispute divided the country. I myself was from a South Yorkshire mining family so I knew both sides of the argument.

Of course there were incidents that should not have occurred, but let us remember the miners were intent on bringing down the Conservative government and we the police were there to ensure the rule of law was implemented.

I cannot forget having to deal with the threats of intimidation against miners in the Selby area who merely wanted to go to work and provide for their children.

Nor can I forget the occasions when teams of “flying pickets” from outside Yorkshire turned up and laid siege to local towns or the occasions those miners who wanted to go back to work had stones through their windows during the night.

Yes let’s have an inquiry or debate, but let’s have one that includes all sides of the dispute.

M Smith, Scarborough