I WAS incensed by the comments of Mr Neil Long, Bury MBC's head of parks, countryside and customer services, regarding the very serious incidents of racist abuse and threatening behaviour which occurred at the football tournament in Openshaw Park (Bury Times, March 18).

Mr Long obviously did not attend the event otherwise he would not - one would hope - have been so insultingly dismissive in his comments.

His quote that it was "unfortunate that there was a perception of racial tension" seems to indicate he feels the victims of this shameful event merely "perceived it"; that is, they either imagined it or made it up.

This arrogant attitude amounts to no more than a shoddy and dishonest attempt to sweep the whole affair under the carpet, presumably in the hope that it will all just go away. It is also in direct contradiction of the council's own policy on racism, which actively encourages the reporting of all such incidents.

Criminal incidents - racist or otherwise - need to be reported, investigated thoroughly and, wherever possible, the perpetrators brought to book. Dismissing incidents gives people the message that their concerns will be ignored, and discourages people from coming forward in the future. It also helps to create a climate of negativity and distrust which will, if unchecked, pave the way for racist extremists to exploit the situation. This clearly leads to more, not less, racial tension. Does Mr Long want another situation like those in Burnley or Oldham on his hands?

I worked for more than 20 years for various local authorities and found that most of my colleagues and managers were conscientious, diligent and responsible people who tried to put the needs of the public above all else. There was, unfortunately, also a small minority of people - usually in senior positions - who, perhaps because they were fond of trotting out buzz-words like "perception", "positive reframing" or "cultural diversity", felt that they knew better than the rest of us. It is very disturbing to find that someone in such a key position as Mr Long seems to fall into the latter category.

I await with great interest the results of the police investigations into the alarming events at Openshaw Park. I also ask that, whatever the outcome may be, Mr Long issues a full and formal apology to the victims he has insulted - people who are some of those he is paid to serve.

CHRIS BAINBRIDGE,

editor of Bury FC fanzine "The Hatchet",

proud sponsors of Forever Bury FC.