GOVERNMENT sources tell us that the crime rate is decreasing but this is not the view of most people as recorded by a MORI poll published in The Daily Telegraph in January.

The Police Federation confirms the people's opinion and warns us that police officers are no longer able to prevent crimes in many parts of our cities.

An international study has shown that Britain has the lowest number of officers compared to similar countries.

The same source reveals that between 1992 and 2000 New York had a 42 per cent increase in police and a 54 per cent drop in crime, while London with a 10 per cent increase in police had a 12 per cent rise in crime.

The federation chairman said: "We are just turning up when there's a problem, and we're not there when there isn't. We are only able to respond. In essence, we arrive when the wheels fall off".

We all know the answer. We need more policemen, especially on the beat.

When did a policeman last walk or cycle past your house?

This used to be a frequent and welcomed occurrence.

Now there are not enough police to put them on the beat safely in some areas without back-up. The result is rapid response units dealing with incidents after they have happened, rather than preventing them.

With the inevitable stresses in an under-funded and under-staffed service morale is low, sickness rates are high and early retirements compound the problem.

I believe there are answers as well as the obvious one of greater resources.

The Home Secretary plans an increase in officers by 2003 but the federation believes this will be inadequate and is pressing for more.

I do not support the involvement of the private sector with greater use of private security firms. An increase in the Special Constabulary would be more appropriate.

Each of my articles in this series points to the desperate need for more resources for our essential services.

Only some of this can come from taxation.

We all know of waste in Government-run services. There should be an independent body monitoring wasteful use of our money. It might even be called BURP, the Body for Uneconomic Resourcing Prevention. This must have total independence from the Government and a wider remit and more teeth than the public accounts committee or the national audit office.

The best way towards more resources is to increase the country's earning capability by assisting industries and businesses, large and small, to perform to their highest potential.