I WONDER if the unfortunate break-in at Tavistock Pannier Market (Times, May 17) might have been prevented?

At one time would-be burglars would have feared having their collars felt. Police patrolled their beats 24/7, enabling us to sleep securely in our beds, protecting commercial properties during the night and having a visible presence on our high streets during the day. Now, even though there are more of them than ever before, they are conspicuous by their absence. Where are they all?

When Maria Wallis was Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police I used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain police beat schedules for Tavistock. They merely confirmed my suspicions. Occasionally a beat officer was scheduled up to 8pm, and on the odd occasion to 10pm, always subject to off duty days, sick leave, annual leave, training days etc. Presumably, this is progress?

I have to acknowledge that under the present regime things may be different, but whilst we pay for policing by our council tax we do not appear to be getting the service.

I did receive one crumb of comfort, however. It seems that during the night there is a car out there somewhere in the countryside, driving round the area!

Terence Scarborough

Uplands, Tavistock