THE Forest, and probably the rest of the county, may not be below strength if personnel are counted but how many of the personnel are actually  regular police officers? 

The chief inspector claims 60 but how many are actually working within the Forest currently?

Special constables  have always been around to supplement the constabulary, and have the same powers under the law.  P.C.S.O s have very few powers, and are no substitute for regular officers.

We are served by a puppet police force where uniforms are so similar  that most of us, at a glance, haven't got a clue as to who is in attendance when the police are required.  Local areas no longer have proper bobbies 'on the beat'.  We get notices in the local press telling us when a P.C.S.O is visiting certain localities.  But it is seldom that an officer is at a police station.

Is this a sad fact of life that is never going to be resolved satisfactorily?

Is this another example of the demise of our country along with the armed forces, the health service, education etc? – Susan Murray, Huntley