Too many cops

Published: 12:58 PM November 1, 2006 Updated: 9:53 PM February 22, 2021

I TOOK part in the protest march against the closure of Hinchingbrooke Hospital and was amazed for two reasons by the number of police involved, including the police helicopter, to oversee a march being made by 2,000 mainly middle-aged, sensible law-abidi

I TOOK part in the protest march against the closure of Hinchingbrooke Hospital and was amazed for two reasons by the number of police involved, including the police helicopter, to oversee a march being made by 2,000 mainly middle-aged, sensible law-abiding people.

First, I have been to Twickenham on many occasions when 60,000 rugby fans, who are known to be partial to a beer or two, leave the stadium. The surrounding roads are far busier than Huntingdon ring road, yet I have never seen as many police there as I saw during that march.

Secondly and more importantly, when I contacted Cambs Constabulary recently to enquire why nothing was being done about people speeding through Wistow, especially during rush-hour, the gist of the reply was there is a lack of manpower.

Isn't it about time the police force started using taxpayers' money to do proper police work, rather than have an excessive number of police officers (most of whom seemed to be standing around chatting to one another) look after a peaceful protest?