Your Letters - September 28

Panel beaters

AS surely a sign of the lack of bite the police seem to have in general now, we have the perfect example in the Observer, September 21 at the top of the "In Brief" column. Here we seemingly have someone going around with a baseball bat, what I would term under the circumstances an "offensive weapon" he is also apparently observed striking parked cars and presumably damaging them.

The perpetrator is then arrested and apparently let off with the now countrywide non action offering of a "police caution".

I wonder what our "panel beater" does with his bat when he is not damaging people's cars?

In the same report we have an intrepid officer urging the public to call the police if we witness a crime, I can only ask why?

Does the police vehicle need a run out, do the officers need a break from the paperwork or does it just give them a chance to meet an offender now and then? It is certainly not to apprehend and punish an offender, so why waste our time and effort calling them at all.

Prisons are overcrowded so no places there, even the most dangerous are out on bail after an hour or two or the unlucky one may just get a community order or young offenders holiday for the more seasoned or habitual criminal.

How attractive our system of non action against criminals must look to others from Eastern Europe, is it any wonder we have a police chief recently asking for more funding to fight foreign criminals that seem to be flooding here for the rich pickings.

Let's hope that they all stick to wielding bats and nothing more dangerous. They may just risk a custodial sentence, but I doubt it.

KELLY STEWART

Duke Street.

A real PC

I'M a volunteer in a charity shop in Western Road, and something amazing happened outside our shop last Thursday afternoon (September 20).

Customers came in with smiles on their faces "did you see that?" they asked. Strangers were talking to each other and the reason for all this - a real policeman was standing on the pavement. Tall, smart and wearing a helmet - just like we used to see and not (as commented by one of our customers) "one of those lady community police about 5'2" or the wide-as-they-are-tall community policeman, who usually walk with them".

We all agreed, this was a moment to treasure as we may not see it again for some time.

BETTY HUTCHINSON

Deans Drive.

Home hazard

FURTHER to your article in the Observer of September 14, I would like to thank Mr John Fowler for his remarks at the exhibition of new development on the site of Hollenden House, proposed by the Park Lane Group.

He said "I feel sorry for the people in Rayford Court - they are going to be somewhat overshadowed by this enormous building."

I am one of those people and the majority of the residents here are quite devastated by the scale of this project, "almost like a new town" one said.

Some years ago a planning permission was granted to convert the existing buildings (a former ex-servicemen's home) to 24 flats, a quite reasonable proposal.

Now the buildings are to be flattened and the number has leapt to a new-build of 71 flats!

The traffic in Buckhurst Road is already congested, especially when parents deliver and meet their children; just imagine the noise and vast increase in cars from this, another development opposite (ie. "The Chintings"- probably another 24 flats) and McCarthy and Stone just further down the road.

There is bound to be an increased hazard to the children.

Another reason for feeling sorry is the loss of wonderful views across to Beachy Head enjoyed by many residents for several years. It is in this area that one gets spectacular sunsets; both will be marred by the three and four-storey blocks.

How can a building line be changed so dramatically? the existing spacious green area in front of the existing buildings has now been squashed to a mere five to six metres.

The character of the new building, said by the Park Lane Group to be reminiscent of naval architecture, seems to me to be quite foreign to the local area.

The article suggests that the majority of the visitors to the exhibition were in favour, but I can say there are quite a few in this area who are not!

John Abbey FRICS

Chairman,

Rayford Court (Bexhill) Management Ltd.

Rayford Court

Buckhurst Road.

Helping hand

AS a "new girl on the block", now having lived here for just over two months, and truly finding lovely Bexhill full of interesting and friendly local residents.

My quite regular visits, for a coffee and pastry, to the De La Warr Pavilion, also to listen one time to a band, then again, an art show, also the skate boarding young persons day, I'm stunned! Why? So many complaints!?

So much complaining about the De La Warr being a white elephant. How?! Let's be positive! I'll try to work it out. Everyone has a different idea of how it should be facilitated.

Personally I have noted a Big Draw (free) Day - artists, a Russian Ballet performance, also Christmas choristers, to come, ie. why could not this local newspaper have a seasonal voting system for the public, to make up and coming programmes? Maybe the De La Warr committee would appreciate such as they may have lost touch with the wonderful local supporters and communities.

VALDA WARREN

Church Street.

New attitude

THE replies to the questionnaire launched by the council about the De La Warr Pavilion will not save it from sliding even further into debt.

What is needed is a fundamental change of attitude by the Trust.

They should get advice from someone who really understands the entertainments business and go out on a limb to promote it, even if it means modifying their "pure arts" standpoint.

The council should not be misled into giving their continued financial support unless there is a complete change of attitude.

It is an absolute waste of charge-payers' money for the council to hand over in excess of 10,000 each week as they do now, for a continuation of the present arrangements.

Jack Seabrook

Richmond Avenue.

Cycle routes