A DAILY Echo article Saturday, April 21, stated that patrols in the Redbridge area are being stepped up to identify locations that could be used by drug dealers by speaking to local residents.

They are to avoid confrontation and are being asked to record dates, times, etc of any incidents.

I did exactly that some years ago now and even provided a spread sheet for the police including dates, length of time to make a transaction, car registration numbers and so one and what happened? Nothing.

To the people of Redbridge I would ask them to note dates and times when they actually spot a police car - once a week, once a fortnight, ever.

Southampton cannot afford a properly manned police force, even PCSOs are thin on the ground.

My council tax has risen by £6 a month and I assume this is the case for everyone. So where does it all go?

Perhaps it’s being used to bail out useless councillors who want to finish an arts centre that we could all do without and would rather see money being spent on doing more for the many than the few.

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