REGARDING the survey done by Norweb Advanced Home Security (LET, November 22), saying that household security is not a priority in this region as far as alarm systems go and that people rely on the old favourite, man's best friend, good locks, leaving lights on, etc, have they stopped to think why this is?

Obviously not.

It is all put down to cost and what people can afford to buy. How can pensioners afford alarm systems on the income they have after working most of their life?

There are people who are out of work and not by choice, single parents who, at this time of year, find it hard to buy for their children, let alone an alarm system.

Where can you get a decent alarm system for less than £150? I know of someone who recently had one fitted and it cost £300 and if she wanted one which would alert the police station, she would have had to pay a ridiculous amount yearly.

So, come on, Norweb, think why home security is a low priority in a lot of cases. Let's be honest, people didn't need alarms 30 years ago -- it's the way society has gone over the years.

S ALMOND (Mrs), Whitebirk Road, Blackburn.