Beryl Rittman (Letters, February 12) could not remember the last time she saw a "beat bobby" on foot in Woodingdean.

We had the same problem when I lived there more than 50 years ago.

I saw two men attempting to steal a car outside The Downs Hotel.

I phoned the Brighton Police HQ, who instructed me to hold the thieves until they had a man to spare - all officers were on duty at Brighton Races.

I am afraid I turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to these instructions.

Luckily, the would-be crooks could not start the car.

When two officers arrived some hours later, I was commended for frustrating the robbery.

-Tom Chilton, Raphael Road, Hove