Sir.-I could not believe the statement by Inspector Louise Clancy, in The Gazette on Thursday, November 23, referring to the drive to recruit police community support officers (PCSOs), that "it almost goes back to the days where you knew the name of your local bobby".

Is this not an admission that policing is not what it should be?

I believe the recruitment of PCSOs (pretend police) is a very poor substitute for the real thing, which now appears to be missing from our streets on a regular basis, except in times of "major" incidents when they miraculously attend, or when manning mobile speed cameras.

Where are all the real police who have been increased in large numbers, if our Government can be believed?

Surely the place for these PCSOs is in the office, completing the paperwork, so releasing the police to do the job on the streets?

-Michael Farrow,
Middle Mead,
Hook.