THE day after we are told that Durham County Council’s Care Connect Administration has lost a computer memory stick containing the details of thousands of elderly people – including the combination numbers of outside key safes and medication details – a letter from the council informs me that from April 1, the weekly charge for the service is to be increased by 40p.

If it wasn’t so serious, it would be laughable.

In view of the council’s carelessness in losing such an important item, especially if it has somehow fallen into the wrong hands, perhaps the authority should consider cancelling the increase?

Better still, it might even consider reducing the weekly cost by the same amount, as a token of apology to the thousands of people affected.

The council says there is no cause for concern but advises residents to change their safe code numbers.

In the meantime, many of them, especially those living alone, may well have some sleepless nights worrying if they and their homes are safe.

Alan Cousins, Hartlepool.