YET again we have had bicycles stolen this week, and the police – yet again – refuse to do anything about it. My husband and I estimate that the bikes stolen from us over the 15 or so years since we moved to Southampton add up to a cost of around £4000.

I am aware that the police have suffered severe cuts to their budgets; in some departments staffing has been halved. I also understand that they have to prioritise with their limited budgets. However, it seems to me that if nothing ever gets done, the thieves can act with impunity, increasing their likelihood of offending again or escalating the seriousness of their crimes. The brazen nature of our most recent theft is an example of this – making a lot of noise removing them from outside the front of our house with neighbours looking on.

There have been a spate of bike thefts in the local area, suggesting that these bike thieves are running a lucrative, no-risk business. Friends of ours who work for the police have called the lack of response an embarrassment.

This is in the context of much more serious crimes also not being followed up, with an average conviction rate of only 48% of crimes nationwide. Unfortunately a lack of confidence in gaining any help from the police will only lead to fewer crimes being reported.

I would hope that in future our public services will be properly funded so that our police can be proud of being able to do a good job in preventing and dealing with crime.

Name and address supplied.