SIMON Wiles, director of resources at City of York Council, states: "The stolen money is covered by insurance so there will be no cost to the council tax payer" (Letters, October 18).

Really? Can he therefore also confirm that the council's insurers have already agreed not to increase next year's premiums as a result of them paying out £15,000 on this claim? Or are the council's claims-related insurance premiums paid by someone other than its taxpayers?

Roland Burnett,

Springwood,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, October 20, 2005