I DO not think that the Oxford Mail headline, Apathy Reigns at Polls, when reporting on the crime commissioners, is correct. I think it was a vote for common sense. Something that repeated governments fail to have.

I did not vote because I do not think we need a commissioner.

In the police force, at the bottom doing the work (when they are allowed to), are constables. They have sergeants who help them. Above them (in order) are inspectors, chief inspectors, superintendents, chief superintendents, assistant chief constable and the chief constable.

I presume these top ranks have some type of experience in the police and a small amount of common sense (although I sometimes wonder).

Why do we need another layer of bureaucrats? Why cannot the chief constable do this work? I thought this is what we paid her for. Will the chief constable become just a figurehead, like Pudsey the bear is for Children in Need?

We as voters were told that this position would not be political. Why then did many candidates wear a rosette in their party’s colours?

Last week there was a serious incident of public disorder in Oxford on a very large scale. It would have been known about and expected by the police. I understand there were less than 12 police officers on duty for the whole of Oxfordshire at the time. A large number of officers had to be brought in from other areas.

That is what we need money spent on in the police force, police on the beat. Not another bureaucrat to waste our money.

Now there is a suggestion that the low turnout was because of a lack of funding to “get the message out”. Another waste of more of my money.

I am not being political. I feel closer to the Tories now than any other party but has the Witney Wonder gone completely mad?

STEVE CHANDLER

Sandford Lane

Kennington