KEITH Tsui's fears (Letters, South China Morning Post, December 16) that police recommendations for anti-burglary devices pose fire escape hazards are unfounded. The police message portrayed in the RTHK programme was how to prevent burglary from unoccupied factory premises. Providing secure locks to doors and metal bars to windows is an obvious solution. Legislation in Hong Kong requires that factories (and other premises) have adequate escape routes and exits via staircases. External fire escape doors must be provided with panic bolts or a similar system to allow immediate opening. Alarms can be connected to such doors to prevent abuse. ERIC LOCKEYEAR for Commissioner of Police
