SIR - Am I being cynical? The front page story (T&A, September 1) about gipsies contains a sentence which reads: "a police spokesman indicated that the force prefers the softly, softly approach".

Why - it has never worked in the past so how will it work now?

Here's the cynical bit - are these camps ever set up anywhere near to where police spokespeople live?

We are sick and tired of having our rates money used to clean up after these people have vacated our playing fields, car parks, etc - our Council land.

When will we get a police force/Council with some backbone? Why are the police reluctant to use powers given to them a couple of years ago?

Do these people pay taxes on their earnings'(which would go part way to funding clean-ups)?

I would like an answer to these questions, but I'll not hold my breath.

Rita Robertshaw, Dalecroft Rise, Allerton