IT WAS disappointing that a Birmingham MP came all the way here (Western Telegraph February 26) to scaremonger about the safety of our community and therefore the performance of our local police.

I can imagine the reaction if I went to Birmingham and did the same thing!

Dyfed Powys police have coped brilliantly with some tough times for the force as they shoulder their part of the burden of rescuing our national finances. But look at the results they have achieved.

Crime figures released by the independent Office of National Statistics show that some reported crimes such as firearm offences have dropped by 36% since May 2010.

Knife crime is also down 22% and vehicle offences by 20%. There has even been a drop of 17% in robberies and 14% in burglaries.

Overall there has been a 10 % drop in crime over the same period.

And there is further good news locally.

Thirty extra officers will be recruited in 2014 and PCSO numbers protected.

There will be an increase in spending on tackling antisocial behaviour alongside overall savings of £3.7m this year.

The force will introducing an independent Residents’ Panel to oversee complaints and integrity and there will be a big increase in public engagement and “when we’re in, we’re open” approach to local stations.

There is always more that can be done and never an excuse for complacency.

However, the work of our local police is something to be proud of.

SIMON HART MP,

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire