I READ that police have set up a new dedicated town centre policing team.

The question I’d ask is: is this really something new or are they just putting back in services that were lost to cuts down the line?

Years ago, there did seem to be a strong police presence in the town centre, with a dedicated neighbourhood inspector.

But as policing was cut back, it seems like the focus on the town centre reduced and as a consequence issues have developed making people feel unsafe.

If there’s going to be millions pumped into the town centre redevelopment, people need to feel safe and secure.

Groups of drunks hanging around Corporation Street, shoplifting, youths on the streets at night and people tearing around on bikes in pedestrianised areas are just some of the issues which need sorting by proper policing.

Proper policing in the town centre is the minimum we should expect, particularly when the public and businesses pay rates that go towards policing.

Name and address submitted