I WAS a bit surprised to read your report of the Durham Police postal survey which claimed more than 80 per cent of people felt safe in their communities (Echo, Aug 22). I thought the figure seemed high.

On reading the web page for Durham Constabulary dealing with this survey, the figure claimed was 84 per cent.

However, on further reading, it appears that the questionnaire was sent to 6,000 homes. Of these, only 1,600 replied. Of these, 80 per cent or so expressed feeling safe in their own communities.

Another way of looking at these statistics is that of 6,000 homes only 1,300 or so felt safer.

I notice that the previous day you reported on an off-duty police officer being threatened with a knife by an underage drinker in the middle of Chester-le-Street at 6.30pm (Echo, Aug 21).

Statistics can be used to prove anything.

Barry Wood, Edmondsley, Co Durham.