IT is an absolute disgrace that drunks and shoplifters may escape paying their £80 fixed penalty fines if they enter into an acceptable behaviour contract which they only have to abide by for three months.

This is watering down the criminal justice system to suit this government's failure on law and order.

The thin blue line is now thinner than it has ever been with fewer police officers covering larger and larger areas.

It will take a tragedy like the death of a police officer before the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Government realise they have cut back too far.

The way things are going fixed penalty tickets will soon be issued for murder.

For goodness sake, we are paying enough council tax for which we get little service. At least we should be able to expect a decent police service and criminal justice system.

MICHAEL REID, Totton.