SIR — On a recent Tuesday evening as I drove back into Minehead I noticed a body lying by the telephone box past Seaward Way roundabout.

A bit further on were parked two cars, both driven by young women, both waiting concerned for the police to arrive.

I turned around and went with one of the women to check and fortunately the "body" was someone who was okay, just a bit drunk, so all three of us drove off.

The woman had reported the body to the police 30 minutes before and had been waiting, concerned, all that time. While we were there, no police arrived.

Suppose this person had been in need of attention. Suppose he was violent or had been the victim of violence. And this med-week, mid-evening - hardly the middle of a crime wave.

I wish I could say I await the response of the police with interest but I can already predict an anodyne reference to staffing levels, response records et al. I find the word that best sums it up is pathetic.

Peter Whitby,

High Street,