WHEN private sponsorship of the police force was first mooted, many people were deeply concerned about commercial elements being involved with law and order. But, as the first sponsored patrol car proves, those fears appear groundless.

The name of S & W Autos, from Atherton, now graces a Ford Mondeo GLS patrol car, and it's done very tastefully. In return for £25,000 the firm, celebrating 40 years in business, will have its name on the side of the car for the next three years.

The artwork is not glaring, the firm stringently checked, and everyone seems happy. The private cash injection means that resources can now be spent elsewhere to fight crime. Hopefully, other suitable sponsorship will follow.

The only slight niggle in this comfortable equation is that, in the eyes of the law, every citizen must be equal. No business or individual should ever expect favourable treatment by the police in exchange for cash investment and no favour could be shown to the sponsor of a police car if he had the misfortune to be pulled up by the vehicle he bought.

That said, it's heartening that the image of the police in this country is still so positive that companies want to be associated with it.

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