SIR - In recent weeks there have been numerous incidents of theft within Worcester centre.

I learn from a police friend of mine that these reported thefts are not being recorded as crimes but merely as incidents of lost items.

In many instances there have been descriptions of suspects, generally of "Eastern European" appearance.

The reason for the none recording of crimes is clearly to do with statistics and government-driven claims that crime is decreasing.

I am sure that the public at large are not fooled by by these distortions and most of us do not even bother to report incidents that occur because we know there will not be a response - except the issue of a number.

However, the body that is being fooled is the police service itself.

For some years now it has been hoodwinked into the statistical spin and, as a result, real police officers are being reduced in number and are replaced by community support, plus civilian staff.

Is it not time that police chiefs and the Police Federation woke up to the fact that they are being duped in order that costs can be saved?

Surely someone, somewhere, must have the gumption to realise that this manipulation will backfire on them to the extent that they will become totally disfunctional?

J W NICHOLAS, Tibberton.