I have every sympathy with Councillor Robinson in the subject of the less than speedy reaction of the police to the matter of the wilful damage to his car (The Journal Thursday December 19th). Although it does not surprise me in the least. One evening in October, as my wife and I returned to my vehicle it was pointed out to me it had been struck by a car parked close by. The members of the public who witnessed the incident were public spirited enough to agree to provide statements, and as it was the night of the Evesham Mop, there was actually a police presence in the town. My wife who was driving that evening found two police officers who visited the scene and agreed that there were signs of damage to both vehicles. To compound matters the other driver after hitting my car proceeded to park in a designated disabled space, one to which he was obviously not entitled to, owing to the speed with which he left the scene. I informed my Insurance company, and waited for a communication from the Police. Imagine my annoyance, when they duly informed me that after consideration they had decided to take no action, but if I wished I could proceed with a private prosecution at my own expense.

As this was the third time in less than a year that my vehicle had been damaged by a runaway driver I was less than amused, and expressed my views in a letter to the Police. Receiving no reply, I then remembered that the Home Secretary had recently spoken of his wish for the Police to deal with the small but annoying crimes that affect the general publics' quality of life. I decided to write to him, to see if he thought the message was getting through, especially locally, I received a reply from his office to the effect that they had written to The Chief Constable so that he could address my concerns, I still await that reply.

Soon we will be facing the next round of Council Tax increases and I am sure the Police will expect an increase in their share, WHY?

Ron Payne, Lynwood Close, Hampton, Evesham