I ONCE again write concerning PCSOs being foisted on us. This is not an attack on PCSOs, but the powers that be who decided to put these people out with poor training, in lieu of real, trained police officers.

I have had two occasions when these were the only option and on both occasions their lack of training and grasp of procedure was all too evident.

One time was when I saw youths breaking into a building and stealing property.

The second was on Sunday, June 7, when I went to use the Coventry cash machine in Headington and noticed a skimmer had been put over the front. I could pull away a top corner.

Obviously I did not use it, especially as the Co-op machine had been sabotaged.

As the fun day was on in Bury Knowle Park, I went there and saw a bright, shiny new police van.

Unfortunately, there was not a bright, shiny new police constable to go with it, merely eight or 10 civilian PCSOs.

I told a PCSO what I had seen and asked if he could inform a police officer.

He stated he would take a look (not what I had in mind).

On both occasions the PCSOs did not ask for my details or ask any questions, so I did not feel it was any use, to mention people on a nearby seat they might like to check, in the second instance.

I am sure the PCSOs will be praised for their diligence because, as there are no details of any witness/informant, it must surely be their work.

Unfortunately, they should be trained re continuity of evidence.

As my council tax contribution to Thames Valley Police keeps rising, is it too much to ask to have the option of approaching a real police officer on the beat?

DEREK SMITH, London Road, Headington, Oxford