WE are told the increase in this year's council tax is partly due to a rise of 2.9 per cent in the police levy. In the national press we are told the current rate of inflation is 3 per cent so they want nearly 30 times the going rate.   And what do we get for it?   The closure of the police stations at Lydney and Cinderford; no bobbies on the beat in the towns;  more resources for Gloucester and Cheltenham;  and the occasional sight of a couple of 'Blunkett's Bobbies' strolling through Lyd­ney in deep conversation and completely oblivious to what is going on round them.   They can't even be bothered to move the illegal parkers in the disabled spaces in the Newerne Street car park. 

I reckon they should prosecute themselves for obtaining money by false pretences.   If they got rid of the 'support officers' and halved the gross salaries and pensions of the Chief Constable and his deputy they could afford some real policemen and keep the Lydney and Cinderford stations open.

This week the assistant C.C. is quoted as saying the new arrangements will improve the police 'service.'   I think he has been reading George Orwell's 1984 and is talking double speak. – B.C. Baker, Allastone Road, Lydney.