With reference to more police patrols on the roads, I would like to say a resounding yes - we should have less speed cameras and more police officers patrolling our roads.

Nationally, there has been a steady decline over the past few years in the personal touch between the public and the police service and more reliance on cameras.

This is counter-productive, apart from the financial aspect, to fill their coffers of the powers-that-be.

My late brother-in-law, a dour Scotsman, specialised in road patrols in his chosen career with the Metropolitan Police. He always maintained that the personal touch and communication between the police and the public was the forte in policing terms. Apart from the steady increase in road users, not only did they deal with the criminal fraternity and driving offences, but actually spoke to responsible motorists and congratulated them on their driving, which gave rise to good police and public relations.

One must remember that any police officer who chooses to specialise during his or her career is first and foremost a policeman and this does not alter their ultimate goal to be a law enforcement officer, in every sense of the word. I am sure Inspector Chris Charlton, North Yorkshire's top traffic officer who is retiring, has seen many changes during his service, and wish him and his family many years of happy and safe motoring.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.