It is no surprise to me to read about the police not investigating the damage done to a car by a hit-and-run motorist.

However, I do not believe Inspector Ian Jeffrey has given the true facts relating to these sorts of traffic offences.

My husband was knocked off his bicycle by a hit-and-run driver and left injured, lying in the road.

The number of the offending vehicle was taken and given to the police the same day but, lo and behold, the officer dealing with it did not get a statement from the driver until four months had gone by.

The result? No prosecution. Some weeks after the statement was obtained, we asked for an explanation.

The constable who had dealt with the crime called on us and said: "I don't know why it took me so long. All I can say is sorry." He had not even examined the offending driver's car.

What would Chief Constable Ken Jones - or maybe Home Secretary David Blunkett - make of this?

-Mrs Joan Bourner, Bognor Regis