I WAS interested to read John Hinton's recent letter concerning Worcester City Police and the co-operation we always had with local officials and organisations.

No one could have been more dismayed than I when our small, but compact and efficient force was amalgamated with the three county constabularies.

I well remember the Mayor and Corporation inviting all members of our force to a meal at the Guildhall and the sadness I felt that soon men I regarded like brothers would leave the city, generally on promotion for other areas.

Later, I wrote to the Mayor and was very pleased when he agreed to commission a plaque commemorating 134 years that the local police had served the city.

The plaque now proudly sits on the wall of the old Police Station in Copenhagen Street near the "Doctor Who" toilet.

John was rather unhappy with officers who were drafted in from the counties due to their lack of co-operation in allowing council officials parking for short periods in the police yard.

I can only say in their defence that we had at that time a brilliant officer in charge, who was also the toughest guy I have ever encountered, and his parking space had to be available for him, or else!

I must defend my county colleagues who joined us in the city. I am sure, like me, they didn't want amalgamation, but they settled in to city ways very quickly and were thoroughly nice blokes.

I will always be a Worcester City Police enthusiast and have my own opinion on whether bigger is best. But I truly believe that West Mercia Constabulary is outstanding and has some of the best facilities in the land, and certainly has the finest and most historic HQs in Great Britain.

JOE WALTER,

Worcester.