• MARIE Guney, 48, a Beales employee from Bear Cross, said: “They came round when my window was smashed and they were very good and they made follow up calls afterwards.

“If you don’t get that contact with police you don’t feel obliged to talk.”

• STEVE Beal, 34, a driving instructor from Charminster, said: “I haven’t seen them around as much in the last few months as I used to.

“They helped a couple of years ago at a neighbour’s house. There should be more presence, 100 per cent.”

• EDWARD Bigg, 73, a retired distribution manager from Springbourne, said: “I am aware of them in the community and I say good morning to them when I see them.

“There’s no other way you can contact police anywhere except on foot.”

• NIGEL Whiten, 64, a financial consultant from Ensbury Park said: “I know them and I have got their numbers. I spoke to them about cars parking in the wrong place.

“I would definitely be concerned if their numbers were transferred.”

Strength of force

THE strength of the Dorset Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams, as published on the force website, on April 2 was: East Dorset: Has two Sergeants, 10 PCs and 14 PCSOs.

Purbeck: Has one Sergeant, six PCs and seven PCSOs.

North Dorset: Has two Sergeants, seven PCs and 11 PCSOs.

Poole: Has four Sergeants, 23 PCs and 24 PCSOs.

Bournemouth: Has seven Sergeants, 27 PCs and 42 PCSOs.

Christchurch: Has two Sergeants, eight PCs and eight PCSOs.