One possible reason for the 80 per cent increase in burglaries recently reported could be the lack of police personnel in the Corsham area.

Only a few years ago there were 19 constables stationed at Corsham providing full 24-hour cover for the area.

I understand that there are now only five.

Is it any wonder that criminals from Bristol and Bath feel able to plunder our community at will and with apparent impunity, bearing in mind the abysmal detection rate?

The police and civilian support establishment is greater than it has ever been so one has to ask the question where are they?

Supervising our non-visible police force requires no less than eight tiers of management.

A major international company finds that three is adequate.

Surely the police force must be the last unreconstructed organisation in the country.

Our chief constable Elizabeth Neville's response to this crimewave, in her annual report, is that there is to be a crackdown on speeding.

IAN THOMPSON

Neighbourhood Watch

Co-ordinator

Lanes End

Gastard

Corsham