Sir.-The quote that Basingstoke has a lot of CCTV is correct. However, I have a story to tell.

A while ago, I started cycling to the station and, on the first day, left my cycle in the cycle park at the rear of the station.

I deliberately left it directly in front of the CCTV camera covering the cycle park.

Lo and behold, I returned to the station in the evening to find my cycle had been stolen.

I spoke to the station supervisor, who said the cameras are controlled and monitored by British Transport Police, so I contacted them.

They took all my details, only to say someone would look through the tapes "if they had the time".

If this is the standard of CCTV coverage, I hope a more serious and personal crime isn't committed next time.

-Simon Tilbury, Westray Close, Oakridge, Basingstoke.