I was surprised to read the article by Miss Anne McIntosh suggesting Skelton was akin to Brixton in London ('MP's challenge on village yobs', November 15).

This was a misleading article based on one resident's unfortunate encounters with youths from outside the village.

This has been ongoing and both the parish council and the community ranger from LeisureVend have taken much time and trouble to help resolve this difficulty.

Since the parish council engaged LeisureVend to provide a community ranger service - at no cost to City of York Council - the scheme has been successfully expanded across the Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without.

Of course there are incidents still beyond the control of the rangers but, overall, there has been a downturn in incidents.

The ward cash allocated to pay for the ranger service should be used for things such as providing local leisure amenities and not be diverted to pay for a service we should already be getting from the police. We had a 78 per cent increase in the police precept last year and yet we are still having to pay large sums extra out of the public's pockets for private patrols. Why ?

Phill Thomas,

Brecksfields,

Skelton, York.

...So, we have seen senior police officers and support staff on the streets of York (Police top brass back on the beat, November 18). Yes, but only during the day!

This is what the people of York, are crying out for - more police providing visible deterrent to crime. Pro-active policing not re-active policing.

Will it last? You bet it won't. It will be just a one-off as usual.

The police authority reckons there will be a shortfall this year of £4.4 million. How come when we paid such a massive amount last year?

Who is cooking the books?

I suggest they don't dare ask for a rise in the police precept this year, because they will be getting the same massive amount as last year. The figure will not go down, will it?

Maybe the accounts of the North Yorkshire Police should be scrutinised, and more effort put into policing policy. Then I should not have to patrol my area to keep the streets peaceful, as I have been doing recently.

Jeremy Banyard,

Bramham Grove,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 11:09 Thursday, November 20, 2003