Sir -Your recent story (Feb 15th) "Vandals wreak havoc in quiet county village" included the preposterous claim from a police spokesperson that "Callow End, like all other areas of Worcestershire, is frequently patrolled by officers on foot, in high profile patrol cars and also in unmarked vehicles at varying times of the day and night."

While our council tax contribution towards West Mercia Police has risen sharply in recent years, we have definitely not seen a commensurate increase in a visible police presence in our village. Indeed, it often feels that we are totally unprotected, whether it be from speeding motorists, acts of vandalism, or even more serious crime.

I believe it was 48 hours after first being reported, that police eventually arrived at the home of the elderly coupled whose fence was destroyed in your story. That is simply not good enough.

I would be interested to discover whether other residents in Worcestershire villages feel the same. In the meantime, I shall be making my own representations to the Chief Constable.

COUN Tom Wells

Callow End