Before the First World War, a man joining the police had his own bike.

My husband was the sergeant at Wallingford from 1958 to 1964 and the officers rode everywhere on their bikes -- he was out with the early shift and the night shift.

People knew there were at least two police officers around when they were going to work in the morning, during the day, and at night when the pubs closed.

There were officers living at Cholsey and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell who had their own areas to cover.

The police station did not close from 9am until late evening -- if it had to shut for an emergency, the phones were put through to Didcot or to our house behind the station where I took the messages. Trouble? We never had any.

Times have changed. The police disciplinary code has virtually disappeared. Cars, personal radios and computers are essential for everyday life.

Police have too many forms to fill in, restricting the time they have to deal with the public. There are no police houses now, so no 'village bobbies'.

JM Gibbs (Mrs)

Radley Road

Abingdon