WHAT has this world come to when I hear statements such as Sandra Gidley's regarding the shooting incident in Chandler's Ford?

Not satisfied with whatever report she surmises the Independent Police Commission may produce she is apparently asking for further investigation in to this matter. Shame on her.

Instead of supporting our brave police officers and giving them credit for a job well done she is casting doubt on their integrity.

To say that she wants to make sure that armed police officers do not put the lives of her constituents at risk is banal. Without them we'll have armed criminals doing the same thing.

Her attitude makes me despair. If she and her like continue like this we'll have no police force at all. Continually undermining their confidence and abilities has got to stop. As it is I think we are lucky to have what semblance of a police force we do have.

It is high time that she, the Government and the country got four square behind the police and allowed them to get on with their job, rather than being swamped in bureaucratic nonsense and red tape.

No wonder this country is going to the dogs. Knife toting hoodie gangs. Gun crime. It all needs sorting and the police can do it if we believe in them. Untie their hands and let them get on with it.

DUDLEY M GEORGE (by-mail).