MOBILE phones are the must-have accessories of the late 20th century. Every man and his dog has one.

From teenagers to executives, the expensive contraptions are permanently glued to the populations collective ear.

Except, it would seem, to the ears which really need them. We tend to assume that police officers working at the cutting edge have the back-up they need.

Which includes top quality communications, not only with their colleagues but with the contacts which enable them to successfully fight crime.

At Weetwood, that communication has been disconnected as part of the ongoing battle against the budget. The phone is not only a vital piece of the chain but an important part of the image.

From the top dog down to the spotty dealer on the street corner, criminals today communicate via their Nokias and Motorollas. Theyre as much a part of the set-up as the obligatory pitbull terrier.

You can picture hard men and drug dealers across the area telling each other: If you want to know who the copper is, just look for the one using the public phone box.

The possibilities of sponsorship are endless - Boots the Chemist brings you the drug squad or Playboy magazines the vice squad and so on.

It would, however, need to avoid any undesirable

associations. Phones sponsored by Tetleys Brewery, for

example, might not send out the message the force is looking for.

It sounds comical but could have serious consequences. We expect results from our police force; we want to know they are working to look after our interests.

Things that may be perceived as mere fripperies in the larger scheme are clearly easy targets for accountants trying to cut costs. And the public is only too quick to demand visual reassurances of bobbies on the beat rather than unseen technology assisting the crimebusters.

And if we demand such high standards, it is not too much to offer some help towards achieving them. If sponsorship is the way forward - as has been seen on fire engines already - then let us hope its not short in supply.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.