YOUR article 'Community unites to crack crime', September 27, in relation to the current crime in Bere Alston made very sad reading.

Members of our Neighbourhood Watch Scheme I'm quite sure do a grand job but even they cannot be patrolling the streets late at night when most of the local crime occurs.

There really is no substitute for a resident police officer in Bere Alston as we were all accustomed to until 1971 when crime in the village was non-existent. Ironically, I was recently informed that there are at least two or three police officers living in Bere Alston but whose patrol areas are elsewhere.

The police authorities admit that Bere Alston is a 'black spot' for crime so this being the case why cannot one of these officers be appointed as our resident 'bobbie' as we had in years gone by. I'm quite sure that unless this happens crime in Bere Alston will get even worse.

B Langman

39 Cornwall Street

Bere Alston