YOUR report (LET, January 11) on the re-introduction of community policing was welcome news, but will the scheme actually make a difference?

For example, will the so-called beat bobby be on the streets "shop hours" or in the evenings when required?

When -- as for years past -- we try to contact our beat bobby will we get an answerphone?

Will, as for years in the past, we be told our bobby is off work, covering another area, on a course or be given another of the million and one excuses we've heard?

We've seen a dozen beat bobbies come and go in Bank Top in Blackburn and as PC Paul Meades seemed to be absent from the publicity photo-call are things about to get any better?

What is news, however, and welcome is the beat bobby could have a local base where he or she can be contacted. Will this be "shop hours" or when required? -- we will have to wait and see, but past performances have been abysmal.

These "new" beat bobbies could have been supported by community wardens but the super council decided not to go down that road.

The Bank Top Community Association could have played a huge part in the scheme if it hadn't been scrapped by the likes of Councillors Bill Taylor, Kate Hollern and gang for reasons they seem to be reluctant to reveal. The councillors of Bank Top owe us an explanation.

SAM SPENCE, Ribblesdale Place, Blackburn.