WITH regards to the attack on Mrs Dorothy Hope (LT, November 20) by some excuse for a human being.

Mrs Hope will have no recollection of who I am, but I used to look forward to my bus journey home to Pleckgate on a Saturday morning when Mrs Hope would usually be on the bus going to visit her friend in Mellor.

She used to talk to me about her week and I found her a lovely, warm, gentle lady.

No wonder she is now afraid to go out at night.

Our tough on crime and the causes of crime Government can find billions of pounds to fight unwinnable wars and £6billion to host a two week sporting event, but if you venture out in and around Blackburn after dark you won't find many community beat officers walking the beat or driving about.

Juvenile nuisance is something we now have to put up with. Damage and disrespect of people's property and belongings is now the norm.

I too, do not venture out alone much at night. What a sad reflection on our society that people feel unsafe after dark.

I wish Mrs Hope a speedy recovery and hope the scum who did this is dealt with by the courts with an appropriate sentence.

LESLEY BICKERSTAFFE (address supplied).