I WAS somewhat taken aback by the article in the Echo on October 21, “Crime up 14%”, and the comments made by deputy chief constable James Vaughan. It makes me wonder what planet he is from?

Every week, any number of stabbings, muggings, and drug-related crimes are reported in the Echo. In the last week alone, I have personally been confronted by two very aggressive beggars demanding money in Bournemouth town centre and have witnessed drug dealers posing as fishermen plying their trade.

A big problem is that with good road and rail links throughout the country, criminals can travel easily to Bournemouth, which they see as a soft touch and easy money to be made – particularly over weekends when many hen and stag parties are held in Bournemouth.

The police appear almost powerless to prevent a lot of these crimes, mainly, I believe, because of severe manning shortages, budget cuts, and the ridiculous amount of paperwork each incident requires.

I feel that a radical shake-up of the police service is required; more recruitment, less time-wasting paperwork, and a more visible presence on our streets would help reduce the crime rate, as would harsher sentences in prison.

This, of course, would mean bigger budgets, so the government needs to ease off the budget cuts for police forces across Britain to try to establish a better service for all.

Kevin Diment New Road, Northbourne