I FEEL I must react to the article: Travellers leave trail of destruction, and letter: Disgust and Distress, in the Wiltshire Times.

At around 5.10pm on October 6 I left the Shires car park and turned into Bythesea Road on my way home.

As I passed the Wincanton site, I witnessed the smashing and general vandalism happening to the mobile building.

I travelled straight to Trowbridge police station, arriving at 5.15pm and reported the incident to the civilian lady behind the reception desk. She informed me, in a very indifferent manner that they knew what was happening, but as it was private property, there was nothing they could do because the police had not received a complaint from the site's owner.

I was disgusted by this attitude, but managed to ask if anyone had in fact told the owner, and was informed that the solicitor was in contact, but she would tell the sergeant. End of visit.

No one took my name, details, and to my knowledge nothing was recorded.

This experience made me think of what would happen if any of us chose to leave our homes, for instance, and during our absence criminal damage, burglary etc occurred? From what the police representative told me, they could do nothing to stop the damage until the owner had made a formal complaint.

If the police want to elicit the support of the public in the fight against crime, it is imperative that the police instigate and reinforce their role to convince everyone they are worth supporting.

Sadly, my own, and my immediate family's, experiences of policing only draw the conclusion that this is not the case, indeed it almost stops people reporting crime in some cases due to the fear of a miscarriage of justice.

I feel that any future reduction in violent, or other, crime figures is in danger of being obtained as a result of the general public being afraid to go out in the first place.

Throughout my life, thanks to my wonderful parents, I have wholeheartedly supported the police force. I need to feel supported in turn.

Finally, to Mrs Deadman, do not give up, there are people who care.

RICHARD R HOOPER,

St Mary's Close,

Hilperton.