Thames Valley Police officers appear to have nothing better to do than skulk around an Oxford housing estate pretending to be criminals (Turning a blind eye to bogus burglars, Oxford Mail February 21).

The more observant reader would have noticed that the male officer of the trio on the front page picture needs to take, or re-take, the covert policing course, as his police radio is prominently displayed for all to see.

The second paragraph of your report read: “When plain clothes officers prowled around the estate after dark, trying car doors, front doors and windows not one resident dialled 999.”

Had anyone done so, once it was established that no crime was being committed, the operator would have instructed the reportee to contact the non-emergency crime number (more time wasted) On the same page to the left is a report Police to shed 800 jobs as funds are cut, and news that 256 police officers are being lost in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (it is not known how Oxfordshire alone will be affected). What chance will we have of getting the police when we need them then?

Finally, will the Chief Constable be subject to a pay cut when she does not have so many troops to manage? I doubt it.

Ray Holton, Kingsclere Road, Bicester