WHAT has happened to our police force who used to be respected and reliable? Now it takes them 13 hours to respond to an incident as they were busy.

It's no wonder the public lose faith in them and do not come forward with information to assist them. Surely Southampton has no higher crime figures than any other major city in Britain.

Maybe if they responded to incidents quicker it would prevent a more serious crime being committed as they do say prevention is better than cure.

More police on the streets and less sitting in patrol cars, making a visible presence and gaining the public's trust once more.

When you are a child you are told to go to the police if in trouble and they will help you but this seems to be a thing of the past as one would have trouble finding one these days.

MOIRA WATKINS, Duns, Berwickshire.