August 27.

Margaret Vaughan's article (Private firms to pay cost of curbing

crime, August 25) seriously undervalues the way in which many Scottish

businesses currently support local crime prevention activity through

their corporate affairs programmes.

They demonstrate the positive role that business can play in

preventing crime -- not just through cash donations but by sharing their

expertise and by getting involved with the community ''beyond the

factory gate''.

The article does not make clear that Crime Concern Scotland is a

non-profit-making charity which has cross-country political support.

Raising funds from the private sector is only one of our tasks.

We also involve local authorities and community organisations,

together with the police, in forming local partnerships to tackle the

crimes of greatest concern to residents.

Our projects are concerned with tackling the causes of crime,

particularly in deprived areas. Local authorities, in particular, have a

key role to play.

We believe that crime can only successfully be reduced if everyone

works together.

Kevin Gill,

Director, Crime Concern Scotland,

7 West George Street,

Glasgow.