IN reply to the letter from Roger Westmoreland in The Press, March 6, police “terror tactics”, I think Mr Westmoreland is a little naïve.

Can I first say that all warrants executed by North Yorkshire Police are risk assessed prior to the operation. That relates to both the police officers carrying out the entry and the potential occupants of the property.

I can assure him that all other means of entry to the relevant properties are considered prior to execution of a search warrant.

Forced entry is the last resort, especially when children are known to be in the property.

What Mr Westmoreland does not seem to understand is that criminals are evil, selfish or cowards or even all the above. When warrants are executed on suspected drug dealers, the police have to effect entry as soon as possible, to secure and preserve evidence. If they don’t then you can guarantee the evidence is flushed away or disposed of.

It also goes for wanted persons. If someone knows the police are on their trail, they will do anything to evade capture. They certainly won’t come to the door when the police call.

Yes sir, you are correct, it is a terrifying and unpleasant experience for families including young children, to have their houses forcibly opened by police but there is generally a very good reason for doing it.

There have been a lot of good results by the North Yorkshire Police executing warrants at various properties around the county, to help bring people to justice.

What one has to consider, is how would you feel if someone was dealing drugs to your child. Or that a person wanted for breaking into your house and stealing all your items was hiding inside a property.

Name and address supplied.