You published a large advertisement feature (Oxford Mail, September 15). It included statements such as: "Depending on the Police Force you join"

"Bring the Police closer to the community"

"To provide a highly visible reassuring presence on the streets"

"Interesting and varied role in the modern police service".

Well, I thought, only police constables join the police and all the other criteria certainly fit an advert for police constables.

But the advert was for civilian Police Community Support Officers. Some unkindly refer to them as Plastic Counterfeit Police.

From this advert, would it be that our police are about to abandon their role and the streets to civilian PCSOs, while they deal with important matters?

Will the PCSOs deal with cars vandalised at Rose Hill that the police couldn't deal with, and all the jobs the police state they have not the resources to cover?

Having witnessed the PCSOs walking on the pavement with cycles whizzing past and not a word said, I must admit that I am not filled with confidence.

I would ask, as the police have never had so much of our money, taxes and council tax, and have never had so many police officers, a) where are all the officers and b) why do they need up to 500 PCSOs to do their job?

As we all pay the police wages, surely we are entitled to the best possible police service, NOT a civilian presence to put a uniform where the police should be.

If they can afford 120-plus PCSOs, why can't they use the money for, say, 90 real police officers.

DEREK SMITH, London Road, Headington, London