I WAS incandescent with rage when I read Mike Bentley's column of March 23 (Spiteful Gordon hits out at 4x4s).

Personally I don't much care what car he drives, but I'll assume that if he can afford to buy and fuel a 4x4, he can also afford to contribute to the cost of the consequences of using it.

His boring whinge about the budget is just that, and not something to which I'd give a second thought.

The final points in that column about clip-on ties for "... special constables - social inadequates" merely draw attention to his arrogance and ignorance.

Does Mr Bentley have the remotest idea what these people actually do? Any "social inadequates" are sifted out during the rigorous selection process.

Those who are accepted for training give up weekends and evenings to learn the job, they can be called for duty at relatively short notice, and the regular police consider them useful colleagues. When called upon they fulfil the duties of any other officer of the same rank - and their reward for this?

No payment, and snide remarks from Mr Bentley.

Yes, I did see the heading "Joke alert" - but I see no joke in knowing these committed people, like other police offices, regularly go on duty not knowing what dangers they may face and ready to deal with whatever situations arise.

Mr Bentley owes a grovelling apology to the special constables and all others who voluntarily work for their communities.

And no, I'm not, (and no one in my family is) a special PC, I don't think I'd have the guts to do it. But to those who do, ignore Bentley's boorish uninformed piffle.

Many, like me, believe you are very special people.

L M Wilcox, Moortown, Leeds.