Brighton and Hove's top policeman has used fine words to defend the force from allegations it doesn't care about some crimes.

Chief Superintendent Doug Rattray insists officers care greatly but simply have to put some sort of priority on the crimes they investigate.

It's a tough job being a police chief these days. Crime has generally been rising over the years and victims are far more prepared to complain than they were in the past about the standard of service they receive.

Police are working under financial pressure and could always do with more officers. They have to deal with a bewildering assortment of crimes.

It's also true the force has been successful in reducing some of the offences that really bother people, such as car crime.

Mr Rattray says the force could have expressed itself better when explaining to disgruntled people why the crime against them was not being treated as a top priority.

Most people would accept his reasoning that officers will go to a burglary where someone is about to be attacked ahead of visiting a woman worried about a group of youths hanging around outside her home.

But the woman still needs reassurance and the public wants convincing when told that a hit-and-run case is not one that deserves attention from the police.

The police chief's words were well chosen. They have been ever since he was appointed. But the public is more impressed by actions than words.