The invisible force

FOR decades, Tory conference speakers have won tumultuous applause by promising to put bobbies back on the beat. Somehow it never happens.

Indeed, a survey for HM Inspector of Constabulary finds 36 per cent have not glimpsed an officer on patrol for 12 months, while another 23 per cent have seen no more than one or two.

Inevitably, the Police Federation yesterday blamed spending cuts.

But isn’t it strange that while there’s never enough cash for foot patrols, there always seems to be plenty for helicopters, BMWs, body armour, tasers, early retirement on gold-plated pensions and mob-handed raids on elderly celebrities suspected of historic sex offences?

This paper has enormous respect for rank-and-file officers. But keeping them out of sight is a deeply unhealthy trend and can only encourage crime.