23 MAY 1992, Page 28

Soft fuzz

Sir: Bone-headed policing of the kind recounted by Janine di Giovanni (`The unserious crime squad', 9 May) does not only betray a strange grasp of priorities. It is also very counter-productive. In London a few weeks ago I flagrantly crossed on a red light having failed to notice a police car 'Good news — I've let an office to the official receivers.' on my tail. The officer — for such he was — took me to task with infinite courtesy and, with great charm, explained that he would have given me a ticket but that he was on his way to a meeting and was pressed for time. Since then, I have observed traffic signals quite scrupulously.

B. A. Baldry

Chart Cottage, Hambledon, Surrey