IF D D'ARCY (Letters, January 22) had spoken to Labour councillors or county councillors and perhaps not Tory or Liberal councillors, about the staved-off closure of Darwen police station at night, then he may have got his facts right.

Firstly, Lancashire County Council has no say on how the police budgets are administered. County councillors from any political group have never had control of the police budgets - it is a totally separate item.

Secondly, the Police Committee took note of "Community Policing" and the concerns of Darwen people. The petition was a complete success. One officer runs the station at night. This has been the procedure for many years.

Thirdly, as far as cutbacks are concerned, the County Council has to stay within government-set spending limits. Years of Tory government cutbacks have taken their toll on all services, but, hopefully, a general election in the near future, should remedy this.

Finally, as far as the police helicopter is concerned, I suggest that Mr D'arcy writes to Chief Constable Pauline Clare with his own views. I am sure that she would provide him with any information he requires.

After all, Darwen Labour Party has fought and won the battle for our police station, but it does seem very sad that somebody, perhaps from another political group, is now trying to do more damage than good.

DEREK BRINDLE (Coun), Bank Street, Darwen.

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