HOW reassuring was Coun John Milburn (Letters, July 27) in his support for the local constabulary, represented by retiring Chief Supt Eddie Walsh.

He obviously does not confer with his electorate, for one of the big complaints of members of the public that I speak to is that they do not see enough of the police on patrol.

Community policing is an often-mouthed objective by police managers, who prefer to put their resources into technology, closed circuit TV and helicopters.

As a former police officer, I have yet to see a computer or helicopter make an arrest or submit a file for court. Perhaps Coun Milburn may ask how many police officers patrol our town centres at weekends. What are the true operating costs of the force helicopter?

Ally that to the sickness rates among serving 'front line' officers and the retirement figures of experienced officers and one begins to get a picture of the true costs of policing in East Lancashire.

Oh, Coun Milburn, don't worry about Eddie Walsh. Yes, he's done his job, but he won't be retiring in Whitebirk, Green Lane or Shadsworth.

As for the statistics recently issued about crime. The Association of Chief Police Officers spokesmen recently stated that they are a very poor method of judging the state of the nation's crime. It depends on who is submitting them and who is judging them.

As for Coun Milburn's target -- those popping at the police, I say keep popping, folks -- there's a lot to pop at in Blackburn, not just the police. It's called democracy, Coun Milburn.

D D'ARCY, Haslingden Old Road, Knuzden, Blackburn.