As the officer in charge of the police operation enforcing cycling laws in Broad Street, Oxford, on May 23, I would like to address certain criticisms.

No frontline officers were taken from regular duties for this operation - it was completely manned by probationary student officers who have had little operational experience and taking part was excellent for their development.

While others may debate the rights or wrongs of current traffic laws, it is the duty of the police to enforce the Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 36 (1a), which states: "A red signal shall convey the prohibition that vehicular traffic shall not proceed beyond the stop line."

This applies to all vehicles, including cycles.

The choice of the Broad Street-Parks Road junction was due to the high number of cyclists who use this area and was also a response to concerns of residents that cyclists were regularly breaking the law at the junction.

Not only were cyclists found to be jumping through red lights, some did so while texting/phoning on their mobiles, cycling one-handed while carrying large articles, and one lady even did so with a two-year-old child in a rear cycle seat.

Mixing traffic with such irresponsibility can, and has, led to dreadful accidents and I plan to conduct more of these checks across the city.

However, while these issues have been highlighted in the light of the sad death of Tsz Fok, we are in no way connecting his death to the jumping of red lights nor were we exploiting his death for our own purposes.

Pc Steven Higa, Professional Development Unit, St Aldate's Police Station, Oxford