SIR — In a recent Free Press I read a report with the heading 'Police hunt for best bobbies on the beat'. In Minehead, over the last few years, I have very rarely seen a policeman on the beat, or special constables or community support officers. I sometimes get a glimpse of one driving by in a police patrol car but never one walking round Minehead and making himself known to local residents. Gone are the days when we knew and trusted our "local bobby". Instead of wasting time and effort on schemes like this, it would be more beneficial to residents to see a local bobby regularly walking round the town. Perhaps the Police and Crime Commissioner, who herself is certainly not a familiar face in Minehead, could find the time to enlighten us. We cannot vote for people we never see and do not know. Quite ridiculous. Mrs M Taylor, West Street, Minehead.