SIR: May I protest strongly about the shortage of police presence in the Dixon Green, New Bury, areas.

We had the best community policeman possible till he went on sick close on approx two and a half months ago. Since then we have not seen one. It's not good enough.

Even when our regular beat man was working, we never saw another when he was off duty, sick, or on holiday. We occasionally see a police car going up or down Harrowby Street, but only the car because of the speed. We very seldom see a policeman when we go to Farnworth centre. They must be very thin on the ground.

Could anyone enlighten me as to what has happened to our police force, as we pay for its operation, but see very little of it. This seems to be ridiculous and leads me to the impression that they couldn't care less.

So, come on the powers-that-be - and let's have some police action in our local areas.

A E Ivers,

Harrowby Street,

Farnworth,

Bolton.

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