MAY I express my and other people's feelings on the article in the Accrington edition which described the drinking and drugs in Huncoat (LET, June 22)?

We know about Huncoat being one of the crime hot spots, but you didn't write the facts - you just criticised Huncoat.

The people of Huncoat were incredibly annoyed about the write up. It dragged Huncoat's name to the ground.

The people of Huncoat want to get rid of the tar covering our name. We want to make it a better place to live and we want people to look up to Huncoat, not down.

Yes, we have our fair share of vandalism, crime and much, more more, but what can we do? Surely, it is up to the police to tackle these problems - which they are not doing at present. I am not saying they should arrest everyone who hangs around the shops but if they communicate with them and earn their respect.

Also, the council should pay more attention to its tenants.

The tenants really need the council to listen and if they don't communicate with the council, surely they will go elsewhere.

DAVID SINGLETON, Keswick Close, Huncoat, Accrington.

Footnote: Our story reported a project being launched by police and Hyndburn Council involving the youth service, East Lancashire Health Authority and the probation service. It was they who highlighted Accrington town centre, Within Grove, Huncoat, and Eachill in Rishton as crime hotspots and not us. You ask "What can be done?" to deal with the problems you accept exist. The aim of the initiative is to answer that very question as our report made clear - Editor.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.