I WRITE in response to your report about the replacement of cars used by North Yorkshire police superintendents (July 7).

I am a North Yorkshire Chief Superintendent, with the responsibility of commanding the Eastern Area of the force, and I am also the chair of the North Yorkshire Superintendents Staff Association.

These vehicles are not perks. Vehicles are an essential piece of equipment to North Yorkshire Police as are handcuffs, CS spray and a baton, which we all carry. The vehicles support front line policing. Yes I and my colleagues do front line work.

The provision of vehicles is all about getting value for money. If my colleagues and I were to use our own cars, the costs at essential-user rates would be astronomical.

I cover between 1,500 and 2,000 miles a month on operational duties, not only on my own area but also covering the whole of North Yorkshire, England's largest county.

The issue of cost was looked at more than six years ago when provided vehicles were first considered. It was shown to be more cost effective to provide vehicles than pay essential-user rates.

Any private mileage we incur is paid for at 12.5p a mile, and we pay income tax at a substantial rate to cover private use and home-to-work mileage. Many other forces have followed North Yorkshire's lead in providing vehicles. It makes sound economic sense.

The critics are on the wrong hobby horse.

Look at the detection rates, among the highest in the country. Look at the reductions in crime and the continued and sustained improvement.

North Yorkshire Police, under the leadership of Della Cannings, left, is making tremendous strides.

It is time some mean-spirited elements stopped knocking and started supporting.

Chief Superintendent David Short,

North Yorkshire Police,

Malton Police Station,

Old Malton Road,

Malton.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, July 09, 2004