NOT long ago, I was wakened in the early hours by the sound and flashing of a burglar alarm in the avenue back to back with my own.

I was not in a position to take any steps to help and am not aware of the outcome. But it is sad that people are in danger of being burgled, and it is only natural to want to take steps to protect oneself and alert others.

I do wonder, however, whether this cannot be done by a method which is just as efficient but is less disturbing to the neighbourhood. After all, the majority of "activations" are actually false alarms (my information comes partly from a statement made about four years ago by the chief constable of Lincolnshire, though matters may have improved).

It should be possible, with all our modern technology, to warn the householder, police, and any other relevant people, of an attempted break-in without shattering the peace of 100 other households.

JEFF LEWIS,

Wood Grove,

Whitefield.