REGARDING your report headed 'They did their best' (LET, July 27) I thought I was reading a Ken Dodd script.

I read with disbelief that an Accrington man had been beaten by three Asian men and after reporting the incident and contacting "several police officers," he was instructed to return in three days time as the reporting officer would then have returned to duty.

I am querying the procedure at Accrington police station. Are there no other officers capable of taking statements? After all, Inspector Steve Sansbury admits this was a serious crime, so why was it left to a police officer who was coming to the end of his shift?

It was earlier announced by Hyndburn police that reports of racially motivated crime had increased by four hundred per cent. It is no wonder when it appears that only one officer can deal with serious crime and it is unfortunate that when this officer is on leave, serious crime will have to await the investigating officer's return to duty.

I remember several years ago when any offence had been committed the reporting officer would have had to stay on duty to finalise his statement.

Inspector Sansbury stated that there was no point taking a rushed statement. How long does it take an officer to take a statement -- a full tour of duty?

When Inspector Sansbury stated that the police handled the situation in the best possible way it is heaven help the population of Hyndburn.

D MOSS, Whalley Old Road, Blackburn.