I applaud the Evening Press reader who is leafleting his neighbour over vandalism to cars in Grosvenor Terrace and who has had his car vandalised nearly 20 times (May 14). The reader is urging his neighbours to report all incidents - no matter how small - to the police so more resources may be directed into the area to deal with the culprits. The leaflet goes on to say that use of police resources is dictated by crime statistics.

Periodically Colin Bowes, on behalf of the police, will state in the Press that crime is going down in my area and yet in this area of Tang Hall we know it is not. Recorded crime is going down, a very different thing Colin.

I know many people who have had crimes committed against them and do not report them for many reasons, for example it's a waste of time because no bobby turns up or else they are frightened and intimidated.

Our local beat bobby, PC Morgan, is great and always keeps an eye on what has been happening in his area while he has been away and then deals with it.

If I am satisfied with some support from a particular police officer I write in and say thank you - everyone likes to know that people care and I always get a reply.

But if I write to them about allegedly unacceptable behaviour by a police officer then no reply is forthcoming until I write to Angela Harris of the Police Authority who really cares and will move heaven and earth to put it right.

Brian Rowan,

Fourth Avenue,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, May 22, 2001