Mr Austin, who criticised The Argus for its coverage of the police (Letters, September 3), appears to have forgotten that the police admitted themselves last year the enormous benefits of having an officer permanently posted at the Clock Tower in Brighton.

There must be something very wrong with police operations if one solitary policeman "preventing crime" has some bearing on police taking six hours to respond to a burglary.

The real reason is because so much police time is taken up attending over and over again the same reported minor incidents which they are helping to make by just giving law breakers warnings instead of nicking them.

Recently I overheard a police patrolman (two in the car) issuing a second warning in as many weeks to the same person committing the same road traffic offence.

He told the culprit to "have a good day" as he left. If the same scenario happens every minute of the day it's easy to see why police switchboards are jammed and it takes them six hours to respond to more serious crime.

Mr Austin also said it was time The Argus began reporting the good things the police do for the community.

It does but I fail to see how it could begin to fill more than a column reporting the good things.

And anyway, why should officers get any recognition for the good things they do?

It is their job. Our poor dustmen and road sweepers never get praised for what they do for the community but still get plenty of flak from The Argus when things go pear-shaped.

Rest assured, Mr Austin, that without The Argus championing the causes of people over the years a lot of them would be much the poorer.

The Argus is right to report both sides of the coin, however much it pricks a nerve.

-Dave Bonwick, Portslade