SIR Charles Rafter, the then Chief Constable of the City of Birmingham Police Force, became concerned by public disquiet about drunkenness and fighting in pubs on the streets and in lodging houses of the then immigrant population.

With the support of his common-sense Watch Committee (there's an eminently sensible description if ever there was one), this large Irish gentleman set off for the west of Ireland, I understand, with a team of senior officers, where they carefully selected healthy, strapping young men.

After training in police work and procedures, these men went on the beat as constables in A Division.

Readers of this newspaper may recall that until recent years, only officers of over 6ft tall served in Birmingham central areas.

Militant feminists appear to have taken offence at my remarks in last week's Advertiser.

I recall some years ago when serving myself in a khaki uniform, being described as "RSM Shorthouse" or something like that. Like me, I imagine, most folk would prefer their law enforcers to be, shall we say, 'commanding figures'.

To imagine yours truly in a helmet, standing next to the ubiquitous Pc Robin White in the central areas of Redditch is too ludicrous for words!

There is a place in society for everyone, irrespective of race or creed, but people, in my experience, prefer their police to 'look the part'.

County Councillor TOM WAREING

Jays Close

Winyates Green