A FEW weeks ago, I had to correct a claim made by Conservative parliamentary candidate Margaret Harper.

She said crime was rising in Worcester, when we all know it is falling.

How very disappointing to see that she is at it again (You Say, Thursday, December 9) when she makes another false claim that West Mercia police must repay £400,000 to the Home Office as a result of some population data changes. She says this will mean fewer bobbies on the beat in Worcester.

Of course, she is wrong again. Because this Government protects West Mercia police from the fluctuations of the funding formula by having floors and ceilings, there will be no reduction of police grant as suggested by Ms Harper.

In fact it has just been awarded an extra £4m of grant.

As a politician she owes a duty to be more careful with wild claims such as this, which may cause distress to my constituents.

In short, she claims crime is rising, when the police and local Conservative councillors say it is falling.

She claims local police will lose cash when they themselves acknowledge they will not - and finally, she claims that the Tories will provide for extra police officers at the same time as Home Office funding will be cut.

Does anyone seriously believe a word she says?

MICHAEL FOSTER MP,

House of Commons.