I AM shocked and baffled that Winchester no longer runs a bus service after 9pm.

Local public transport is really important for any city of note.

With two universities and a large sixth form college, we have a sizeable young population.

A lot of people who socialise or work in the many restaurants and pubs leave late at night. How are they meant to get home?

We also have some of the most expensive taxi fares in the country.

So, the effect of all of this will be to encourage more people on to the streets late at night, giving more opportunity for crime.

The two recent muggings in Romsey Road and Minden Way are salutary reminders that crime occurs even in a relatively safe city like Winchester.

I also suspect that more people will use their own cars with the subsequent increased risk of drink-driving.

Salisbury and Chichester, cities that are significantly smaller than Winchester, with fewer students, are able to operate regular bus services at night.

The cost of operating a single nightly bus service at, say, 10pm, 11pm and midnight covering the main districts would be minimal in the greater scheme of things – even in our austere times.

ALISTAIR MARSDEN, Stanmore, Winchester.