20 FEBRUARY 1993, Page 31

Thin blue line

Sir: Several weeks ago I was amongst the crowd walking past Harrods, when the police cordoned us off following a bomb warning.

I noticed a number of policemen going to the litter-bins on the pavements and inves- tigating the contents.

Shortly afterwards the bomb did explode, having been concealed in one of these bins. Immediately after the explosion, back came the policemen to continue looking through these bins in case there was a second bomb.

How brave these men are, who seem to risk their lives all in the course of an ordi- nary day's work, to protect us, the public. Our debt to them is very great, and we should recognise their discipline and brav- ery more often.

George Irvine

Nil Farm, Hook Norton, Oxfordshire