WITH reference to your feature regarding the questioning of two local councillors by police, concerning alleged racist comments.

What happened to freedom of speech in this country? What do our police see as their priorities?

The chairman and vice chairman of Cleeve Prior Parish Council are invited to a meeting held to discuss illegal occupation of land by travellers. After just one complaint by a person in the audience, an immediate police investigation was launched, and both men were threatened with arrest, and possible prosecution.

Contrast this with to recent personal experiences. A young relative had her new car vandalised in a public car park with CCTV cameras. She visited the local police station but was told nothing could be done as they did not have the resources to investigate.

I had several items stolen from my property. The police were unable to help, apart from offering the usual counselling, but suggested I searched for them at car boot sales.

Numerous press reports have highlighted poor or non-existent police response to serious incidents. Can I suggest the public expects our police forces to spend more time and resources on catching criminals, and less on hounding law abiding citizens.

M E STOWE, Mickleton, Glos.