Bobbies in Castle Point will be getting on their bikes after officers received four new cycles (April 23) I thought Bobbies meant police officers. The PCSOs pictured are like stuffed guard dogs - they look the part from a distance, but on closer examination, they cant do much.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some are very conscientious, but the bottom line is they can't do much when they come across something and kids know that.

They have very limited powers. Anything more than antisocial behaviour, or riding on the pavement, and they have to call a real cop.

So why waste our money?

There is little point getting someone with no powers to try and rid our streets of antisocial behaviour and violence.

A police friend of mine said PCSOs can not be used to deal with crimes, or take on any paperwork. So why have them?

The ones we have in Rayleigh are never far from the High Street.

I have only seen one out of the High Street a few times and she is normally in a a car. What's the point of that? Didn't we get PCSOs as someone to approach?

It would be nice to see them in and around the Chase and the Poets' estate dealing with nuisance yobs.

Martin Williams
Scotts Walk
Rayleigh