SIR – As one of the many – at least 20, not ten as reported – people in this small area of Shipley who woke recently to find that our door handles had been stolen overnight, I was astounded by the comments in George Watmough’s letter (T&A, April 14).

Of course this is not the crime of the century – though it will have put a lot of people to expense and inconvenience – but it is certain that the people who are doing this are also stealing other things, and very likely metal from railway signalling systems, lead from the roofs of churches and other public buildings, drain covers from roads and pavements and whatever other “scrap” metal they can lay their hands on.

Copper wiring and an electrical junction box were taken from a neighbour's locked garage the same night.

Thefts of this type cause danger, delay and inconvenience to the public, and are an expense to the public purse which needs to be avoided if possible. If the police can apprehend them for the door knob thefts, they will prevent much greater nuisance, and their efforts in this direction should be applauded and not subjected to petty-minded sarcasm.

Barry Clark, Bradford Road, Shipley