Why send 20 police officers to deal with bus fare cheats?

Published: 9 July, 2010

• YOUR correspondent (Cops target clubbers, July 2) has hit on a very interesting point.

In these difficult times, how are police resources allocated, especially in relation to soft targets?

Three examples I have witnessed in the last six months.

To deal with an elderly vagrant: three police vehicles and eight constables.

In response to a potential shoplifter: two police vehicles and five constables.

To assist London Buses deal with ticket evaders on the 73 route at the Angel: at least 20 (yes, 20) officers supported by police community support officers.

In all these cases the majority of officers were not actually doing anything to assist in the situation when I was observing.

I can’t help but think that this can hardly be an effective use of scarce resources.

Related to this, I wonder if anybody else has noticed that the number of police vehicles with sirens blaring rushing about our streets seems to have increased.

Far from offering reassurance they are more likely unnecessarily to increase the public’s fear of a crimewave.

And don’t get me started on the use of police helicopters, particularly after dark.

CHRIS BULFORD
College Cross, N1

• ON Friday, I went to my doctor’s surgery in Laycock Street, near Highbury Corner, where there was a vehicle described as a mobile police station with its engine on.

After spending at least five minutes in the surgery and seeing that the vehicle’s engine was still on, I stated to the officer how objectionable that was on a particularly hot day.

He did not reply.

ROBERT SIMPSON
Wolsey Road, N1