IT is all very well for Inspector Harry Bretherton to criticise residents for not coming to the assistance of one of his officers when he was being attacked on the St James's estate in Darwen. (Telegraph, April 25).

However, if any residents had come to the officer's assistance, it is quite likely that he would simply have brushed himself down and then promptly arrested them for assaulting the original assailants.

A CULVERHOUSE, Cavendish Street, Darwen.

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