OF course, the staff will play down the danger of patients escaping, whether it be from Kemple View (LET, September 16) or Calderstones.

Their jobs depend on the security of the establishments.

It is rare for a patient to attack or injure members of the public. However, if you are a relative or a friend of the victims, it doesn't matter how rare the event is. The tragedy is still traumatic and affects the survivors for years, if not life.

Many residents of Whalley, Langho, Billington and the surrounding areas are aware of the status of Calderstones and Kemple View. These residents are not necessarily NIMBYs. They accept the need for secure establishments to house patients at a lower level of security than Rampton, Broadmoor or Ashworth hospitals.

These patients have to be housed somewhere. The closure of these units is not demanded, but increased security is. If a 10ft fence is not high enough, make it 20ft high: electrify it, build a moat. Do whatever is required to ensure that residents in the vicinity are safe.

Does it really need a serious assault or a death to ensure that these dangerous people -- if they aren't dangerous why are they housed in secure units? -- are kept locked up for the safety of everyone else.

Your Front Page (LET, September 18) carried the story of how a young man was murdered by someone not in a secure unit and totally unpredictably. Let's not have this happening in the Ribble Valley or Blackburn or anywhere because of the escape of a certified patient caused by inadequate security.

PAUL W MORLEY, Whalley.