MY wife and I totally agree with Jeremy Banyard's letter "Council tax bungle" (December 12).

We too have decided to not pay our increase in the police precept and shall only pay an inflation rate increase to City of York Council.

It is about time like-minded people stood together to show them enough is enough.

We find it increasingly difficult to cope with this exorbitant increase every year, concocted by incompetent bureaucrats of which there are far too many.

We are expected to pay this from around £2 a week increase in pensions, not to mention all the increased domestic charges including water, electric, gas etc.

Chief Constable Della Cannings' pathetic excuse for wanting more money is the heavy pressure on the force including the double murder investigation, Selby rail disaster and pensions.

Police pensions are nothing to do with us. And unless I've got it wrong, I thought working to solve crime was what the police are supposed to do.

However, what I do know is that when Della Cannings comes to retire, I doubt she will have any problem paying the bills, with a pension that will make ours look like pocket money.

J Smith,

Hazel Garth, York.

...COULD Della Cannings please explain to me how, as soon as she starts asking for more money, there is a noticeable police presence on the streets of York?

I work in Market Street and very rarely see a policeman or woman passing the shop.

As soon as Miss Cannings requests a rise, the police are out once again doing what they should - patrolling the centre of York.

I find this quite amazing but I bet if, and when, she gets the cash they will do their disappearing act as they have before.

Brenda Walsh,

Courtneys,

Wheldrake, York.

Updated: 10:43 Wednesday, December 31, 2003