THERE has been much debate that far too many police are in patrol cars and not walking our streets.

It has also been many times stated that police in cars are only out to catch motorists as a revenue booster. Both suggesting that they are failing to catch ‘the real criminals’ out there.

Driving a car with excessive speed, no insurance, licence, under the influence of drink or drugs or not wearing a seat belt are real offences that need to be clamped down on to protect society.

Punishments dealt out are deterrents for the sake of us all.

The car, being a most predominant way of travel for the law-abiding most of us, is also a convenient mode of transport for those breaking serious laws.

A policeman in a patrol car will stop a perhaps minor offending vehicle only to discover there are far more serious implications that involve arrests. It’s a bit like ‘pick ’n’ mix’ for them or a ‘lucky strike’.

If we are boarding an aeroplane, we are glad that security are strictly checking for explosives etc because they are caring for us.

It’s the very same when the police patrol cars are scouring our streets and motorways for real criminals.

The only criticism I have is that no patrol officer should be allowed to work alone; it should be blues and twos in the real sense. Cutbacks are putting our dedicated officers in harm’s way.

CHRISTINE PETERS, Wellington Road, Bournemouth