IF Ramsbottom is such a "haven of peaceful tranquillity," to quote Supt. Westcott (Bury Times, Dec 14), why are so many of the town's elderly people terrified to answer their front door at night?

The town centre at night is a magnet for yobs in speeding cars; bus shelters are frequently vandalised; and aggressive youths congregate, using foul language and generally causing annoyance to residents and businesses alike. In addition to all this, a very serious armed robbery recently took place at a bank next door to the police station and still the local Constabulary wonders why public confidence in them is so low.

It therefore beggars belief that a senior officer should patronise tax-paying residents with comments that we "expect too much". What we do expect is effective policing. It is not possible to police a town like Ramsbottom on a set of statistics and a computer print-out from headquarters! What is required is action to deal with the "here and now" problems.

In addition to vigorous police action, which could be demonstrated by a high-profile presence coupled with convictions of the wrong-doers, police must secure co-operation from parents, teachers, the council and even the clergy, to fight crime and disorder. Dealing with the "yob culture" in Ramsbottom should be at the top of the agenda for the New Year.

MRS JEAN ALLISON, Ramsbottom.