DEAR EDITOR -- Further to my last letter regarding our abysmal council in Bromsgrove, and police force, the readers of the Advertiser/Messenger must agree with me as no letter so far has been written in their defence.

Has anyone actually read the missive from the police accompanying the extortionate rate demand? Two years of ten per cent on ten per cent demands, we gain one extra policeman... and he has run off to Scotland with a 15 year old teenager...

And they talk about best value. Which part of 'Fred Carno's' do they wish to compare with? Police intelligence can only be regarded as a contradiction of terms.

Having spent a great deal of time listening to their conversations over the years the rot must have started in the 70s. The current bunch of politically correct academics only seem able to talk incessantly about and analyse crime, whilst not solving or preventing it.

As for the councils locally - Bromsgrove District and Worcestershire County), no doubt the main increase covers the usual inflation bursting pay and pension, and expenses rises... whilst the rest of us on a fixed (decreasing) income are expected to finance their grandiose scheme's and junkets.

A second letter has arrived still accusing me of failing to pay an early instalment of my 02-03 rates, despite a telephone call in December explaining the error is theirs.

Perhaps this harassment infringes my human rights and I should sue for compensation. After visiting to again prove my payment, I still await any form of apology for their incompetence.

Angus Malcolm,

Old Birmingham Road,

Bromsgrove.