Letter: Talking to public is part of policing

Letter: The article in the Shropshire Star on August 21, about the police officer "trying to get back to grass roots policing" by holding a meeting, made me roll on the floor with laughter.

Although I admire his intentions, I feel sorry for the policeman and even more sorry for the public.

In the days when I was a police officer, the principle was to go out into the community, rather than the people come to the police officer.

Talking to the public on a daily basis was the basic way in which the police became aware of what was going on in the area. You the public were the "eyes and ears" of the police force.

There are now more officers than ever, but when did you last even see a policeman on the street and how many of you have spoken to a policeman recently?

Bill Williams

Shrewsbury