BEAT bobbies may be a necessity if we want a safe society, according to Guardian readers.

Following our feature in which we asked you to tell us your thoughts on community policing, we've had an overwhelming response in favour of the uniformed officer patrolling your street.

And the comments are still coming.

Each caller knows the facts behind the debate: that the police don't consider bobbies effective, and that 'new' forms of crime deserve greater attention.

But despite that, there is still a strong belief in the beat bobby.

One caller, who asked not to be named, said: "I just don't think that senior policemen such as Supt Ian Johns get out and see the good work that a bobby would do.

"I think it should be like that Back to the Floor programme, where the boss goes to see what can be done on the lowest rung. Mr Johns would soon see what benefits there are, and how bad it is for people who suffer from the 'nuisance crime'."

Peter Holden, of Hartford, added: "The young vandals that we are dealing with here are the seedcorn villains of the future.

"If it becomes clear to them that they can get away with what they do, and no policeman is around the corner to stop them, then they will graduate to more serious stuff."

John Price, of Northwich, served for 15 years as a police officer in Zimbabwe. He said: "In my time it was proved beyond any doubt that a bobby on the beat was successful.

"There should not be a financial ticket attached to policing or any other public service."

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