ON the commencement of the school holidays I decided to take two of my grandsons into Oxford to try and acquaint them with the vast amount of things to see and do there.

Being a local lad I remember how the scales were released from my eyes when I joined Oxford City Police and as part of my training was shown around the city for two days by the late Doug Jeakings who was an officer of long service.

I was amazed at what I had missed or taken for granted during my youth and therefore did not want the two boys to miss out as I had.

The city centre was very busy.

There were plenty of buskers, tourists and people going about their business.

Not a sign of a high viz jacket to signify that the guardians of law and order were making sure that all was well.

However, in fairness I have to say that I never witnessed anything wrong during our perambulations and as I believe the Force is now reactive as opposed to pro-active this may have provided the explanation.

We did pass by St Aldate’s police station and saw a police car being driven OUT.

I tried to describe to the lads how in the ‘60s at least eight officers would be patrolling the city centre on foot with one always on Carfax to respond if needed to the police pillar telephone.

One of the boys, the eight-year-old, asked me what happened now at the police station.

Being of a technical mind they both understood about watching screens and street cameras and operating computers but were confused when I tried to explain what agoraphobia was.

CHRIS PAYNE, Turnpike Road, Bicester