AT seven o'clock last Wednesday morning, my mother, soon to be 86 years old, was wakened by a youth searching through the drawers at the end of her bed.

He had already been through the rest of the house, stealing her purse containing her pension, all her jewellery, mostly of highly sentimental value, and leaving her personal belongings strewn all over the floor.

One can only begin to imagine how frightened she was, living on her own. What kind of scum can do this to vulnerable old people? This is the second time this year. Do these people ever stop to think how they would feel if this was to happen to their mother or grandmother?

To my knowledge, during the past year this has happened to at least five other elderly people living on the same estate (Sutherland Grove/Beatrice Street). I would like to ask what preventative measures are being taken by the Local Authority?

We see the fountains being lovingly restored in the Square. Isn't it about time that priorities were considered when huge amounts of money such as this are being spent? These elderly tenants, and many others living on similar estates, have, in many cases, paid rents and council tax for many years. Surely they can reasonably expect to sleep safely in their beds without fear of being attacked or robbed?

All that has been done to protect these residents is the erection of a new wooden fence! Big deal! Do the powers-that-be really expect this to stop a young, fit youth from gaining access to the communal areas and back entries?

Come on, Bolton Council. Many of these residents are now sacrificing essentials to fork out hundreds of pounds they can ill afford, having bars etc fitted to their windows and doors. At least let's see the cost of this reimbursed. What about having surveillance cameras placed at strategic points in the vicinity?

Surely it's time to give this matter the utmost consideration before someone is badly injured, or worse. I consider my mother to be very fortunate on this occasion and I sincerely hope to see major improvements in the security offered to these vulnerable members of our community.

Mrs Sheila Seddon

Shillingford Road

Farnworth

Bolton