SOUTH Swindon Conservatives want to hear when residents last saw a bobby on the beat.

Robert Buckland, Conservative candidate for South Swindon, says residents have told him there is not enough police presence on the town's streets.

"Wiltshire Police are asking for local opinions in a series of consultation meetings about future policing methods, but I appreciate that not many of us can get to them," he said.

He wants people to write to him at Conservative Office, 14 Bath Road, Old Town.

"I will pass your concerns on. I am hoping for positive responses but the evidence I am getting from residents is that there is too little presence on our streets," he said.

Chief Inspector Charlie Dibble, of Swindon police, said: "Obviously we are very keen to increase the visibility of police officers within our community and we have put considerable measures in place to ensure that a majority of our time is spent on patrol."

He said that figures showed officers were achieving targets of being out on patrol 60 per cent of the time and would be very willing to arrange for Mr Buckland to go out with a community beat officer.

Anyone who cannot attend the consultation meetings can write to the Clerk to the Police Authority, Wiltshire Police Authority, PO Box 847, Devizes, SN10 2RD or email kieran-kilgallen@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk or ring 01380 734022.