Letters to newspaper tell of crime concern

And this week, in the light of rising concerns, Sector Inspector Max Mosley reaffirmed his confidence in his team of officers.

The letters, some reprinted on pages 6 and 7, cover many issues, including indifference, station opening hours, lack of visual presence on the streets, and vandalism.

Others readers condemn officers for being aloof and arrogant.

Joy Hughes, of New Park Avenue, fears leaving the house after dark; JJ Casson, of Devonshire Road, argues about inactivity on harrassment issues until something was attacked with a metal bar.

Lack of traffic warden presence was Tony Ashby s gripe, while Joyce Humphrey, of Reginald Road, recognised the difficult and often dangerous job police officers do, but believes the top brass were "out of touch" with the ordinary public.

There was some support for the local force, however. David Ham, of Amherst Road, had the impression crime was fought on a multi-agency level, that the council was part of that approach and the police should not shoulder total responsibility.

Former county councillor J Heasman also suggested whatever level of funding there was, it would be wasted if there was insufficient co-operation from the public.

Inspector Steve Long, in traffic management at Bexhill Police Station, paid tribute to Inspector Max Mosley who, he said, had overcome all manner of obstacles to provide a service to the town.

Mr Mosley, who spoke at last night s Police/Community Consultative Committee stressed his officers gave 110 per cent effort and performance left little or no wastage.

Much of the recent debate followed similar concerns nationally, he said.

"It is one thing saying we want more policemen and it is another thing looking at standards of performance of the local force. Our standards here are are good.

"Only when the Government starts to produce the tools that we need to do the job can the situation improve."

But, he added, help was on the horizon.

"The Home Office has produced a blueprint for reform called Policing a New Century, in which it sets a target to provide 130,000 new police officers by March 2003."