SIR — The members of Somerset Badger Patrol who campaigned nightly throughout last year's nine weeks of culling were shocked to discover the involvement of the cull contractors with the police and the influence that they must have exerted in the control room (Free Press May 30). We had a really good relationship with the police last year, or so we thought. We discussed our moves every evening and we were totally open and honest with the police, believing that they too were upholding our rights to object to this policy. Of course they had a difficult task, attempting to keep all parties safe as is their remit, and we had appreciated that. To find that they had compromised public safety by being influenced by a political lobbying group is a complete betrayal of all we tried to achieve last year. This is a real blow to civil rights and the community policing we had thought was objective and impartial. We have asked many questions of the police this year as the facts are revealed, and we have also asked Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens to answer our questions as she seems to be wedded to the idea that policing should be transparent and accountable. Until we get some honest answers, I think we remain unconvinced that our police force has maintained its impartiality and independence and is accountable, let alone transparent. We feel betrayed. Sara Palmer, Somerset Badger Patrol.