Sir.-Sherborne St John Parish Council recently discussed the letter "Call for more action over village crime" (name and address withheld), in The Gazette on March 18.

There is an understanding that traffic volumes and speeds through Sherborne St John village need to be lowered - to increase the safety of residents in general and the safety of children travelling to school in particular.

The parish council, in close co-operation with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, recently expended a lot of time and energy inviting and reviewing residents' comments, and then installing specific traffic-calming measures in Sherborne St John.

At the present time, installation of these measures is still in progress. The letter to The Gazette suggested the scope may need to be significantly extended!

The parish council agrees with the call for greater police presence in the villages - we do have our local contact, Pc Mandy Jewell, but her beat extends too far and wide for her to spend much time in any one place.

However, we can help her - and ourselves. The parish council would like to invite all residents of the village to report dangerous driving. They can telephone the clerk during daytime hours on 01256 851715 or e-mail - see our website at www.hants.gov.uk/ssj

Please do act whenever necessary - we certainly want all residents to be able to walk their dogs late in the evening without fear of danger.

-Julian Crawley, chairman, Sherborne St John Parish Council.