SIR – The coalition Government is right to expect cuts in police budgets.

The chief constable of West Mercia is on an obscene salary and expenses package. Indeed, he has more in expenses than lots of those paying council tax earn.

In addition he is paid more than the prime minister I believe! This can’t be right.

Also, year on year in the last 10 years or so West Mercia Police have had large police budget rises from the council taxpayers. They have had a brand new police station in Love’s Grove, large sums of money spent on the headquarters at Hindlip (including a new drive – why did they need this?) and now they are patrolling in BMWs and Audis. No humble Vauxhalls and Fords for this force, oh no. And this is all at our expense. No, the time is right to rein in spending at West Mercia when all of us are expected to tighten our belts and have to expect real pain because of the dire financial state the country was left in by the previous government.

I think the police can do this to reduce their spending without affecting frontline services...what little we do get from them these days.

B Davison
Worcester