I WAS astonished by Lord Clarke's statement (LET, September 20) at the meeting of the Task Force in Burnley that the riots in the town were a disturbance. Could he possibly explain what exactly constitutes a riot?

I think this remark was an insult to the commonsense and intelligence of the people of East Lancashire. We saw these riots on TV and the outrage committed.

In my opinion he should apologise for this tactless remark and to the blind and disabled man who was caught up in the riot and gave his account to the Task Force.

This must have been a most terrifying experience with acts of mindless violence being committed around him.

If the Task Force's report is anything less than the plain unvarnished truth it would be an injustice to the people and totally unacceptable.

JOHN EDDLESTON, Brownhill Road, Blackburn.