SO Durham Police's survey of 1,600 people in their force area found 80 per cent felt safe in their area (Echo, Aug 22). Who did they survey: yobs and criminals (they obviously can't have surveyed the many victims of assaults court cases which appear daily in the Echo), or just the wealthy areas, who are more likely to respond to surveys?

Other surveys have found that most people are scared to go out day or night, and a survey has also found that one in four people keep some kind of weapon in their home for protection.

Also, after the latest so-called crackdown on anti-social-behaviour in Park East Ward in Darlington, residents were asked to comment on the police initiative by local radio but declined in case their voices were recognised. It doesn't sound like these people feel safe in their communities.

How can anyone feel safe when, if they say anything to yobs, they risk being stabbed or shot. What planet are those that Durham police surveyed living on?

Name supplied, Darlington.