Letter: Worry over police budget cut

The truth is out. So now the West Mercia Police have finally admitted what most of us knew already – front-line policing will be affected by the financial cuts. (Star, August 2)

After a year or two of denials by chief constables ('front-line policing will not be affected by the cuts') including West Mercia, we now have it confirmed that there will be fewer police officers on the beat – and it appears rural areas, with less crime, will be most affected.

But make no mistake, towns will also be down on constables.

It is not the fault of chief constables but I do wish they would be more truthful from the start.

They seem to be more politically orientated these days and less willing to upset the establishment, ie, the Home Office.

They should long have said that Government cuts will affect the everyday policing of the streets of Britain.

Of course, major crimes will get the priority and burglaries, serious public disorder, assaults and car crime will be investigated – but nearly always after the event. Preventative policing will be very much reduced.

The big loser will be so called 'minor offences' (such as using mobile phones when driving, jumping traffic lights, unsociable behaviour, etc) where people will learn that detection is negligible and they can commit such offences with almost total immunity.

We do not need nuclear deterrent submarines but we do need police officers on the streets.

Richard Camp

Wellington

Telford