SIR - Philip Crowther (T&A letters, September 3) asks does anyone wonder why crime soars. This was after he pointed out to Councillor Nazir, who was calling for police patrols in Lister Park, that police abandoned foot patrols long ago, as if that's a good thing.

But that is exactly why crime has soured. That's the whole point. People should be able to go for a jog in the park at 10.15pm - men and women.

The decision to make police abandon patrols and only turn up after a crime has been committed was the biggest mistake in law enforcement history. We're now paying the price. And it has nothing to do with resources.

Alan Bates, Bowland Avenue, Baildon