Something we've heard alot over the past few years is that what we need is more police on the beat. I think that's why they created the PCSO posts. Then everyone moaned about 'plastic policeman' and that sort of thing. What people forget, or don't know, when they talk about how in the old days, the neighbourhood policeman knew everything that was going on and was always talking to people is that people used to talk BACK to them. Sounds obvious when you think about it. Instead, the instinctive reaction of most people now when they see a PCSO or a police officer is to keep their heads down and get out of the way. You don't see many people stopping to pass the time of day with them, nevermind pass on any information. That sort of link seems to be broken and it will be interesting to see if it ever comes back. Perhaps gradually the PCSOs will have that effect? If the same ones stay on the same beats.

If you do not want  to deal with the police directly you can like me phone Crime Stoppers who are a charity and an interface that works really well. It is safe and as we learnt in  recent Bedminster history it is not a good idea to tackle these anti social types directly.

I think you are right we have to help the police to police our area.  It goes against our our 'British' nature of don't get involved but surely it is all about do we want our areas safe and not taken over by these layabouts.  We have to step up to the mark.