DELLA Cannings, the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, has asked for a 20 per cent rise in the police portion of the council tax ('Police seek 20 per cent funding increase', November 19).

Last year she asked for 76 per cent, which was supposed to improve the policing in North Yorkshire. She has stated that ten per cent would be sufficient for a standstill budget.

All I seem to read in the Press is an increase in vandalism, hooliganism, theft, drug offences and murder which is similar to the state before she received the increase last year which was to solve these problems. I still do not see a police presence in Strensall. According to the Press, other areas have seen little of the police either, even when requested. I have not read any reports of what she has achieved with the 76 per cent she received last year.

The pension increase has been set at 2.8 per cent so I think this should be her increase not ten per cent and definitely not 20 per cent.

Theo Sumners,

Sussex Way,

Strensall, York.

...BECAUSE North Yorkshire police got 76 per cent last year and performance is still abysmal the chief constable should use the more appropriate abbreviation Chief Con.

Dave Goddard,

Edgeware Road, York.

Updated: 08:21 Saturday, November 22, 2003