Sir – How ever much the British government tries, cuts to essential services such as the police force are objectively insane.

The true measure of a country’s success is how well it treats its vulnerable people (Nazi Germany remember was an economic success), and no country has a better record than Singapore which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

I am holidaying there, and my jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw the attention the Singaporean police gve to one stolen bike.

The British police force is essential on so many levels, but particularly in the care and protection of the vulnerable. If it is brought to its knees, it will be another day of shame for a government which should already be dying of shame.

Daniel Emlyn-Jones
Oxford