I CONCUR with MP Frank Field's recent comments regarding the lack of support for many Birkenhead residents following repeated public order issues.

Given Merseyside Police provides its largest Wirral resource in Mr Field's constituency, it seems disconcerting that this problem persists.

And with local police chiefs stating they are doing all they can to address the problems, I feel those actions on Inspector Minnery’s list are highly laudable, but are tinkering around the edges and clearly not working as well as they might.

What works very effectively is the use of high-visibility vehicles containing a number of officers patrolling hotspots, ensuring local yobs feel their presence. In effect, putting the ‘force’ back into police force.

For far too long, the police have been tied up in bureaucracy and political correctness, and this has stifled their actions.

We must free them from these.

The police can reclaim the streets for the law-abiding residents Mr Field refers to, who feel they have been abandoned, but it requires much more than just giving advice – it requires a strong and visible intent.

David Burgess-Joyce, Conservative police and crime commissioner candidate for Merseyside.