Sir, At last somebody has spoken out about police constables patrolling in pairs — but I regret that Sir Keith Povey, Chief Inspector of Constabulary, waited until just before retiring to do so (report, January 3).

I joined the Met in 1946 after six years’ service in the Royal Navy. We were very short of PCs on the ground in those days. As numbers grew we were frequently reminded that two PCs seen talking together could be disciplined for the offence of “Idling and Gossiping”.

Why do all these double-handed PCs have to wear brilliant yellow jackets? In my day we were given a pair of white gauntlets only when we were directing traffic. I have followed suspects using the cover of trees and lamp posts and arrested them, which could not be done in a yellow jacket. Up to the rank of chief inspector I never had a radio — and never ever had handcuffs, sprays or side-handled batons.

If the PCs took off the jackets and patrolled singly, so that they could see what was going on and talk to the public instead of chattering to each other, I think that we might have a better service.

Yours faithfully,
DAVID HELM,
(Deputy Assistant Commissioner Operations, Metropolitan Police, 1974-80),
341 Lauderdale Tower,
Barbican,
London EC2Y 8NA.
david@dhelm.freeserve.co.uk
January 3.

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