AS readers of this column will know, we still have an issue with Worcester police press office, which covers this area, over the lack of information we receive about crime.

Sadly, gone are the days when we could just pop down to the Malvern station and look at the crime book. These days everything is computerised and centralised, and no better for it.

We believe it is our responsibility as a local paper to present you with as accurate a picture as we can of crime. We feel the two crimes a week we usually receive from Worcester is not allowing us to do this. We may be low crime, but we are not no crime.

In light of our usual service, readers may be slightly surprised, if not concerned, to see what would appear to be a spate of crime breaking out on page 3 of this week's Malvern Gazette.

Have no fear, we wonder if the clue to this mystery is not contained on the same page, with the visit to Malvern on Wednesday of Chief Constable Paul West. Is is just a coincidence, or was Worcester reminded, at least for one week, of where Malvern is?

We asked Mr West if, in light of West Mercia Police now charging a Band D Council Tax-payer £143.17 for its services, he might be reviewing the way in which the police communicate with the community via the media.

He pointed out, quite rightly, that the tax taken covers many more valuable services than 'bobbies on the beat'.

On the media side, he said he thought the police were pretty good at getting out good news stories. No argument there, what we are asking for is a little balance and accuracy.