Sir.-The article in last Friday's Gazette "Historic approach that's hard to beat" caught my eye.

Supt Netherton, Basingstoke's police chief, has, in the past, claimed to have cracked down on drug dealers, burglary, anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime and so on, which is a good job well done.

Supt Netherton is now claiming that "more officers are now patrolling the streets of Basingstoke, and providing a service for local people".

When these officers are patrolling the street, do they not notice vehicles which are parked on/off the footways, making it very difficult for others (pedestrians, people with wheelchairs, shopping trolleys etc) to get past without having to, in some cases, walk out into the road, putting themselves in danger?

I have contacted the council about this issue and the response I received is that the parking attendants have no powers to slap a ticket on vehicles that are illegally parked unless they are parked on single/double yellows or in restricted areas.

Vehicles parked illegally, on/off footways, too close to junctions etc, is, according to Basingstoke council, the responsibility of the police.

Supt Netherton wants to provide a service to the residents of Basingstoke. Believe me, if the officers patrolling our estates, be it in car, on foot or pedal power, would stop and slap tickets on these inconsiderate drivers, then a lot of residents would be happy.

-Philip Burt, Paddock Road, Basingstoke.