FIVE years into the job and the question is: has the Police and Crime Commissioner made any progress or improvements?

Well for starters, whether or not reducing police numbers was part of her strategy, every year we have a shortage in manpower, either 70 or 100 fewer police officers, saving some £3 million or £15 million over five years.

But in the PCC’s favour, she was able to amass £60 million in investments. As for working reserves, perhaps £30 million.

But modern policing requires mobile frontline police.

Assume we have 1,000 working five shifts, that is 200 to cover all of North Yorkshire. York had 100 at some time. That’s 20 per shift, less specialists. No wonder crime figures are down.

But if you apply the above to the 180 PCSOs, no wonder one has to look hard to find one.

However, £1.7 million for casuals is not too bad. It only dents the £15 million savings.

Mr P Richardson,

Haxby, York