I'M sorry to have to tell you this but the Lib Dems in Westhoughton have just started the local election campaign for 2002.

The theme is the same old one. That is to say, that Westhoughton is overlooked when Bolton shares out the cake. Most people know this is political posturing, totally without foundation but this time in his almost daily column, the town council leader strayed into very dangerous territory. A report by him in the BEN Saturday June 23 criticised the police for not taking action against drunken youths and he also states that the town's police station may close. He knows this is untrue.

The fear of crime especially among the elderly must be awful to live with. I know of some people with three or four locks on their door and are nervous of every sound outside their house after dark. For a politician to play upon these fears is an outrage and totally opposed to everything that councillors are elected to undertake, namely working with the public the police and all agencies involved in improving peoples lives.

For better or worse we live in a different world today than even 20 years ago. Drugs are available to those who know where to look and strong alcohol sold by irresponsible shopkeepers to school children increases the potential for vandalism. Mobile phones and fast motor bikes make catching these louts harder for the police who are doing their very best and deserve the support of us all.

A different world needs different solutions and the police are looking at how resources can best used. Westhoughton police station is an old Victorian building, expensive to maintain, with no car park or access for the disabled. The sale of this would make money available for a centre in Westhoughton worthy of the public demands in the 21st century.

The town council leader knows this but prefers to ignore it. To the Lib Dems, running a negative, whinging campaign in the hope of picking up a few votes is the only game in town.

Cllr Eric T Hyland

Hulton Park Ward

Lower Fold

Harwood