JOHN Kerr implies that if I did my job properly, no one would ever have their windscreen broken in York (Letters, November 8). If only it were so!

He is right that reducing crime and helping people to feel safe is one of the most important tasks for politicians.

That is why the Government since 1997 has introduced community support officers, legislated for anti-social behaviour orders, increased Government funding of police by 19 per cent and raised overall police numbers to record levels; all measures that I have supported.

We are now seeing results. There are 191 more police officers in North Yorkshire now than in 1997, and crime has fallen across Britain every year for the past seven years, according to the British Crime Survey.

Altogether £1 million of the proceeds from crime are seized every week in Britain.

In York, the latest police figures show a reduction in crime by 22 per cent on the previous period last year. Burglaries of dwellings are down 66 per cent. Detection rates are up ten per cent.

And car crime? Down 46 per cent on the same period in 2003.

Indeed, figures published in the Evening Press suggested that more people feel safe in York than in neighbouring Selby or Ryedale (October 9).

As I know myself, none of this is any consolation when you fall victim to crime. We still have a long way to go before everyone feels safe.

That is why I was so pleased to see the Home Office announce plans for better neighbourhood policing. I shall be making sure York residents get the full benefit of this when it is introduced.

There is still more to be done, but change is taking place and progress is being made.

Hugh Bayley MP,

Holgate Road, York.

Updated: 10:19 Tuesday, November 16, 2004