I read Stephen Lewis's article about Police Community Support Officers (CSOs), (July 17) with interest and couldn't help but compare this new dual-level policing structure with what I saw in Rome a couple of years ago.

Their streets are policed by the Communa di Polici who deal with street crime, road traffic offences and other such "minor irritants".

But also present are the Carabiniere, national uniformed officers who have great power including routinely carrying a range of armaments. These chaps are the real heavyweights of policing in Italy. The Communa di Polici also carry side-arms.

I then carried this model into York's incarnation. I can readily see why CSO's working at "irritant level" should only need limited powers.

There is, however, one pernicious group of morons for whom these limited powers are totally ineffectual. The group which "rat run" the pedestrian precinct, often at dangerous speeds, and often use their two tonnes of steel and glass as a weapon against everyone, able bodied or not.

Having noted the equipment carried, or not carried, by CSOs there does seem to be one vital piece of kit missing for them to deal effectively with rogue motorists. I refer of course to the gun.

Graham Horne,

Beech Avenue,

Bishopthorpe,

York.

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, July 29, 2003