Many who came across the article by Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones in last week’s paper likely expected it to include an apology for her disgraceful comments following the recent riots (Romsey Advertiser, September 6).

In these comments she attempted to justify the actions of these far right thugs, by saying they had “the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty, the need to uphold British values”.  Thankfully, despite her remarks, many of those involved in the riots faced swift repercussions from our criminal justice system.  Our dedicated police forces should be applauded.  It must be frustrating for them to have a PCC who stirs division and complicates their crucial work.

Yet we have no apology. Instead, she used the article to create a misleading narrative that the Conservative Party did not undermine our police over their 14-year tenure. We cannot overlook the fact that police numbers in Hampshire dropped from 3,748 in 2010 to 2,700 in 2019. Any current recruitment efforts merely aim to address the fallout from those previous cuts, and cannot replace the valuable police experience lost.

As it stands, police numbers remain significantly below 2010 levels, despite the PCC’s bluster. The only net increase has been in the purely political roles of the PPC and her unelected deputy which were created by the Tories at a cost of considerably more than two police officers.

Calls for Donna Jones’ resignation over her inflammatory remarks have been widespread, including a letter from the Test Valley Green Party on August 17. She should take their advice.

Kevin Lindley,

Abbotswood Common Road,

Romsey