WITH reference to the headline, "Do Cameras Actually Work?" in your April 15 issue it is correct that yet again the effectiveness of the surveillance cameras should again be questioned.

I would personally like to have a clearer explanation of the policy regarding the management of street parking in the town as well as the deployment of police officers "on the beat".

It would be interesting to learn the number of crimes committed during the last 12 months within the camera surveillance area.

How many people have been convicted for these crimes?

How many convictions were as a result of the cameras?

Also on the subject of roadside parking, we have a one-hour restricted area in the High Street and West Street, Marlow, and I see no evidence that this is being policed or managed. I see that frequently people park all day unchallenged.

Why?

How many parking tickets have been issued in these specific areas in the last 12 months?

Personally I have never seen a parking ticket issued in the one-hour restricted in the High Street or West Street.

If every space vacated each hour, many of our parking problems would be solved.

On the subject of officers on the beat what has ever happened to the two "cycle mounted" police for whom we purchased the bicycles?

About a month ago my wife was waiting for me on a double yellow line, outside the fish and chip shop at 7.30pm and she was very politely "moved on" by a policeman on a cycle.

I was heartened that at last some action was being taken, which I had hoped would have been extended to the daytime period, but unfortunately I have not seen a "mounted" officer since.

What has happened to them?

It would appear that money is currently being spent on expensive, ineffective cameras which are not being effectively monitored and parking restriction signs, which are not actively managed and ignored by many people.

The police, for whom I have the greatest respect and sympathy, spend time writing reports about crimes that have taken place rather than to be acting in a "preventative" role.

What is wrong with "old fashioned" policing?

It used to work, and I believe that in areas where it has been re-introduced, crime levels have fallen.

This does not surprise those of us old enough to remember "the good old days" when people had respect for each other and the police were important, and respected members of the local community.

Roger Povey, Marlow