Sir.-I write with regard to the article in Monday's Gazette, about police spending time in Hook talking to residents.

I have lived in Sherborne St John for the past 40 years, and in this time I have seen a lot of changes in this village.

Myself, and several elderly residents, are frightened to walk our dogs late in the evening for fear of being knocked down by dangerous and drink drivers using our village as a rat run.

Many of them use the back lanes as a shortcut to and from areas such as Chineham, Popley and beyond.

We also have concerns about drug problems in the area.

I totally agree that something has to be done about crime throughout the smaller villages in Hampshire. It's just a pity the police cannot seem to find the manpower to look at villages nearer to home, such as Sherborne St John, Monk Sherborne and Sherfield-on-Loddon.

I believe they should set up roadblocks to catch these offenders and bring them to justice.

-Name and address withheld.