Outlook is not good for police

The police service in its present form is not sustainable, with thousands of officers to be lost while civilians take on more duties. This follows a major review by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was accused of attempting "policing on the cheap" after her top advisor on the issue said current levels were too costly.

With their constant demands for higher pay and equipment, and an absence of street patrols, the recent demonstrations in London have done the police no favours with this Government. The Police Federation warned as far back as 2006 of a plan to axe 25,000 officers, replacing them with untrained "plastic bobbies".

This Government some time ago also considered reducing the rank structure within the police service above that of Inspector.

Once they recognise that a civilian statement-taker can also carry out a search, or arrest someone, they will no doubt start to get give them more powers, and we will end up with less well paid and less experienced police officers.

Unless the police service gets back to basics with a searching review of trained officers fully engaged in numerous departments (which is the main cause of manpower shortages) the future of the service is grim to say the least.

Bernard Jones, Powys