Letter: Fun forests

THE article "Coming soon to a location near you ... the secure forest" (9 April), which highlights research findings that many people associate woods with crime, says as much about how reporting can contribute to a fear of crime as the balanced picture presented by the research itself.

The research "Growing in Confidence", carried out as part of the community forest initiative for the Countryside Commission, clearly highlighted how much those taking part in the survey enjoyed their walk in woodland. Indeed, with well over 50 million visits made to woods and forests each year, public confidence in the countryside should not be underestimated.

We have found that where a local community becomes involved in the management of an urban wood, a strong sense of ownership can develop.

Hilary Allison

The Woodland Trust

Grantham, Lincs