I ALWAYS read Eric Waters' letters, and  most times, I don't  agree with him, but he is spot on with local policing.

As Eric says the eco vandals who let down people's tyres know that they are hardly going to get caught by an on the beat policeman.

The only time they might be apprehended is if someone saw them at the car and called the police, but then they would done and gone by then.

Also, I  couldn't help but wonder why none of the car alarms went off.

It's common sense to have  beat policeman. In my day, most of the police pounding the beat,  especially on the estates, were known by you.

They knew the villains and  you felt safe. They weren't far away.

Also, all the police boxes disappeared. How much did it cost to maintain one? 

Eric's point - and that of most people I talk to - is that we badly need walk-about bobbies, otherwise people like the eco brigade can do just what they like, when they like.

Name and address supplied