Sir, Stephen Pollard writes: “I haven’t reported \ to the police. What’s the point? The police can’t even be bothered to deal with assaults” (Feb 14). However, I would come to the exactly opposite conclusion.

Recently my bag was stolen on a train. I assumed, like Mr Pollard, that it was not worth reporting, but out of sheer bloody-mindedness used the British Transport Police’s telephone at Euston to advise them of the theft. Within a few minutes a community support officer arrived to take the details, and half an hour later she was arranging the retrieval of the relevant CCTV footage which, together with my statement, was forwarded to the police at Swindon.

There a police constable ran through the video, identified the malefactor making off with my bag and circulated his description and image to all the relevant stations. In addition, I have been given regular updates by phone on any developments. I could not possibly have expected more.

Far from railing at the police for their lack of interest and action, I feel faintly embarrassed that the theft of a cheap bag containing little of value should have been taken so seriously.

While the police will doubtess fail to meet our expectations all the time, if we fail to report the crimes that do occur the police will never even get the chance to meet these expectations.

John Heard
West Wickham, Kent

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