You will note the Co-op in Colchester Road, Halstead was ram raided on Tuesday and the cash machine taken.

Considerable damage has been done to the building.

This is a continuing trend in the area.

The police response is totally inadequate. Halstead has no police station and Braintree is inadequacy staffed.

Rural crime is at a all time high.

The Government’s response is and will be: “We are investing more money this coming year into the police budget.”

If so, why has the police service under this Government’s watch been reduced to a fire brigade response?

The chances of an investigation into most crime considered minor are nil.

Major crime has to take priority and the service is stretched to breaking point.

More time is taken now on how to do the the job without offending minority groups and ensuring everything is politically correct than actually dealing with the crime. Maximum administration has replaced boots on the ground.

Top-heavy management replace troops.

Consultants replace common sense.

I have nothing but admiration for the officers of today who battle overwhelming odds.

Drugs are the scourge of society. So what have we done? Disbanded drug squads.

Alcohol related crime and public order is rife. So what have we done? Allowed 24-hour drinking.

An overnight solution cannot happen but the continuing dilution of our police service cannot go on without serious escalation of crime and disorder.

A D Smart

Halstead