There are too many police in the wrong places
sir – In 1960 virtually every rural village had its own police officer, and in towns and cities “bobbies on the beat” were a frequent sight.
According to government statistics for England and Wales, in 1960 there was one police officer for every 643 members of the population. Today there is one for every 477. Perhaps the solution to present crime problems is not in the numbers of officers but what those in charge require them to do. Edward Leigh-pemberton Faringdon, Oxfordshire
sir – I recently travelled by road through France and Spain, and witnessed police or civil guards on the streets in almost every town and village throughout my tour.
It was reassuring to see such a presence. In my own village I have observed only two police cars in the past 12 months.
Margaret Thatcher recognised the need to have the police on her side. Tony Blair was supposedly tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime, though his rhetoric was more impressive than his actions. However, Theresa May, both as Home Secretary and now Prime Minister, is intent on reducing our rural security to virtually zero. In our area we have one police officer covering 250 square miles.
A reversal of this trend is essential in order for the law-abiding majority to be able to rest easy in their beds. John Hinchsliff
Sutton-on-trent, Nottinghamshire