I can't understand the ridicule the Government suffered over the idea of giving out a policeman's mobile number.

Moulsecoomb's community policemen are PC Paul Gossland and PC Roberts.

I've got PC Gossland's card, complete with mobile number and email address and I couldn't be happier.

I've recently suffered a break-in, which these two fine community policemen are investigating on my behalf.

Luckily for all concerned, I know who did it.

I caught them red-handed. Two girls aged 11 and 16.

The plan is to work with them in a community capacity, to prevent the children from slipping further into crime and instead be taught the errors of their ways and identify the ways and means to lead a successful and law-abiding life.

PC Gossland and Roberts are our local heroes.

Isn't it amazing our faithful and loyal policemen and women are willing to put in the time and effort to steer our youth, in conjunction with their mothers, away from a criminal future to a future of hope and achievement instead?

I am really impressed.

It would be all too easy for the police to arrest juvenile offenders and put them before the courts. Here, they might be given custodial sentences and, once inside, the would get more criminal ideas from other inmates.

PC Gossland and Roberts know the future - prevention rather than cure.

Thank you, PCs Gossland and Roberts for investigating my case and for putting forward such a brilliant plan of action for dealing with it and thank you, too, the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Curtis, for giving us community police.

-Matthew Taylor, Brighton