Sir – A few days ago we were told that a disaster had struck the police effort in Bayswater Road, Oxford, when the speed camera allegedly failed to work, apparently because the battery was flat.

However all was not lost, according to the senior officer at the scene when the evil motorists were approaching, it became obvious to them that there was a police presence because the officers who were standing at the side of the road were wearing the customary yellow jackets, which were visible to all. It was later concluded by a senior officer that the event was a success as the traffic speeds had been reduced.

The lesson to be learned from this event is surely that crime will be reduced, speed and poor driving will be reduced and confidence in the ability of the police to deal with these matters will be enhanced, if, instead of relying on sub-standard state-of-the-art equipment, the police managers put more officers out on the streets and motorways where they can be seen, in yellow jackets if necessary.

But then we good, honest, ordinary citizens have been saying this for decades.

Perhaps the police will take note of what happened in Bayswater Road and give some serious thought to changing their policing policy to one of having a presence where they are needed and one for which we are paying.

Alan Lester, Abingdon