I HAVE just read your front page story (LET, August 12) and am disgusted at the response of local traders to the HSBC Bank incident. To put money before people's safety is appalling.

I think the police handled the incident admirably. They did not know whether or not there were armed robbers inside the bank, who could have come out at any time 'all guns blazing.'

They took control of the situation and, rather than acting hastily, waited until they were sure that there was no one inside.

They would have been vilified if they had knocked the door down and innocent people had been injured. It is easy with hindsight to say they were wrong.

Would they want it on their consciences if an innocent bystander had been injured, worse, killed, just so they could reopen their businesses?

We have a gallant police force who are prepared to put their lives on the line for a public who think more about the cost to them.

Perhaps next time it will be for real and you might be the hostage. Would you want the police to come barging through the door? I think not.

Perhaps they should all be issued with a crystal ball and then we could end crime forever.

J CALAM, Allen Street, Burnley.