It was nice to read that the Neighbourhood Watch bulletin (Saturday, November 4, Neighbourhood News) has statistics for the western area that indicate a drop in crime, though unrealistic due to the unreported crimes.

For instance there has been two attempted arsons, windows shot at and broken, a car had tyres punctured and paint sprayed on it, three cars had wing mirrors ripped off and four cars were scratched and had aerials snapped off.

These were all unreported, the usual reason being that the police can't do anything.

I say it's not what the police can or cannot do, it's what you can do.

I urge all who have been a victim of an offence, no matter how small, to report it to the police. By reporting all crimes it adds a number to the statistics and will give a true reading of crime.

According to the British crime survey, fewer than 50 per cent of crimes are reported of which just over half are recorded, and not all recorded crimes are investigated due to lack of evidence.

But by reporting it to the police it will highlight the areas which need to have a better police presence.

Do please report all crime no matter how small.

Some will say it is wasting police time, but it's not.

It is only a trivial offence when you are the onlooker it seems much bigger when you are the victim.

B W BREAKSPEAR

Deburgh Street

Swindon