I HAVE every sympathy for Councillor Charles Mills' daughter's friend who was assaulted and police were unable to respond immediately.

However, surely it is wrong of Coun Mills to attack Blackburn with Darwen's overstretched police force, when the only person to blame is his own MP who happens to be the Home Secretary.

The fact is Blackburn with Darwen does not have enough police personnel. Jack Straw in Opposition said he would be tough on crime and yet figures show that, since 1997, there are fewer police and, thanks to Mr Straw's liberal policies, more criminals on our streets.

However, I understand Coun Mills' difficulty when his own party leader never condemns any Labour policy. The good point for us Tories is that as the local and general elections approach, we can say truthfully that a vote for the Liberals is a vote for the Labour Party.

COUN D PEARSON, Rawstorne Street, Blackburn.