Insp Neville Sheldrick and his senior officers are a disgrace in asserting the police have no powers to stop traffic for the two minutes' silence (Gazette, November 18).

It is yet another example of police abrogating their responsibilities that has seen them shed reponsibility for parking supervision, burglar alarms, recovery of stolen cars and, shortly, any responsibilities for lost and found dogs. All in the name of unspecified 'more important things to do'.

Yet cars are stopped for spot-checks, roads are closed without orders to ensure the fast passage of VIPs and royalty, wide loads, and to prevent the lawful passage of 'flying pickets', pop concert-goers, New Age travellers et al.

Many would say the sooner West Mercia are taken over by a West Midlands Force the better.

Terry Ford, Clerkenwell Crescent, Malvern.