THAT 65-year-old East Lancashire cancer sufferer Albert Hearle has received an apology from the police after waiting almost two weeks for them to investigate a break-in is no more than is deserved -- as he has been treated disgracefully.

But that should not be the end of the matter. For there is disturbing suggestion in the initial explanation for what happened to him that the police are under so much pressure that this appalling lapse may not be an isolated occurrence.

Yet whether or not that is the case, the standard of service he received after reporting a burglary at a house he owns in Blackburn was abysmal -- and all the more so when, it is claimed, a person as unwell as he is was kept waiting for hours a time for police to come when they said they would and when six times over the course of three days they failed to turn up.

The fact that his MP, Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans, is demanding an apology from the Home Secretary, Blackburn's Jack Straw, may have a shade of political point-scoring about it . But many people will want to know whether, as he claims, this incident demonstrates the state of law and order in Britain.

Certainly, it contrasts oddly with Lancashire Constabulary's outstanding performance over other forces in combating crime and with the successful results of their recent drives against burglary and auto-crime.

But in the response of the chief inspector managing operations at Blackburn there is a worrying indication that in coping with their workload the police may now be so overstretched that what happened to Mr Hearle can happen to others -- as a staggering 2,500 calls a day pour into the communications room.

In addition, then, to the investigation of the failings in his case -- and if there is blame for it, carpeting of the culprits -- may the public also have a detailed response to the concern that the police may not be able deliver what is expected of them? And urgent action from Mr Straw if that is the case.