THE current discussion on police re-organisation in the North West presents some challenges and illustrates the gap between Government policy and public perception and aspirations.

The Government argues that recent bombings and 'war' against terror demand the police establishment be re-organised to cope with those demands.

What does that tell you about the priorities of the proposed new set-up? To most of us in the North West, crime means burglary, public order, violence and drugs. Current detection figures are high in their praise of the success of the current establishment. The question is, would the new set-up provide a better service? My question is 'for whom?'

All reorganisations are designed to save money. When I joined the former Blackburn Borough Police there were 32-foot beats and in addition CID and traffic police.

Subsequent amalgamations always reduced the numbers of officers at the sharp end, pleading more mobility, more automation required fewer officers in contact with the public.

Areas like Mellor, Pleasington, Hurst Green, Read and Whalley hardly ever see a police officer now, other than a passing car. How would the new set-up address that?

How long before the use of the internet allows us to report our burglary or theft 'on line,' receiving our mandatory crime number contact maintained by an automatic dialling system?

Unlike the continental system the British police model has always placed great emphasis on the interaction between the police and the public.

We have had assurances from Coun Malcolm Doherty and Chief Superintendent Mallaby, both honourable men, that nothing will change in terms of service and I am sure that both believe that.

But they can only speak for the here and now. The complexity of modern day policing is placing increasing demands on an already over-stretched service and their budgets, most of them related to the increasing multiplicity and urbanisation of our society.

This Government has demonstrated great skill at what I term as 'media manipulation' and they term as 'spin.'

D D'ARCY, Haslingden Old Road, Knuzden.