I read in The Argus (Aug 28) about the forthcoming blitz on illegally parked and abandoned cars.

Considering the obvious lack of police officers to look after pensioners being beaten and homes being burgled, perhaps the police would be better employed caring for the Brighton residents who pay their wages, than concentrating on lumps of metal.

Our police used to serve the community and protect the vulnerable. Not so now, it seems. I thought people were more important - how stupid of me.

As long as ten years ago, our neighbours' house was broken into while they were on holiday. After informing the police by phone, we were asked if we'd entered the premises (had the perpetrators left the property?) and told they would send someone later on.

We informed the council, who came within an hour to secure the property. We had to wait a further hour for police to turn up. They stayed all of five minutes, gave a crime number and left.

Over the years, Sussex Police have taken a downward spiral in their attitude towards what their job should be, i.e. protection of people and their property.

Maybe retraining and rethinking of how to approach the problems of community policing would be in order. When did we last see a copper on the beat in Woodingdean?

-PA Law, Bexhill Road, Woodingdean