'Ere Garry you're a senior Police officer maybe you can spot what is wrong with this picture.

We have lived in our house for around 6 months now. In that time we have noticed that there are a few minor problems with vandalism and drunken behaviour on Friday and Saturday nights - nothing in the league of the guy who was kicked to death in your area - but enough to be of annoyance. My wing mirror was kicked off one night, I've had to pick up broken beer bottles from the front of the house on several occasions, next door's for sale sign has been kicked down more times than I care to remember - you get the picture. So with that and a number of quite vocal drunks wandering down the street in the early hours how many Police Officers have we seen in the street in those 6 months........

.....none!

Until today....

....today at the bottom of the street we have 10 armoured Police vans and about 40 Police officers -some in paramilitary uniforms with batons. Oh and apparently the area will be patrolled by a helicopter later - just in case! The reason?

A football match - Gillingham's last game of the season in which they may be relegated.

The two things that I can see are:

Firstly - remember all those years ago when we used to follow Sunderland around? Well what would antagonise football fans more than a large visible Police presence.

and secondly - if the money can be found for such a large Police presence today then why can't it be found for normal policing in street like ours (and other like it) every other day?

I'll shut up now or you will think I've turned into our Dad!