TRAFFIC, anti-social behaviour and visible policing were the hot topics when a panel of senior policing figures answered questions live online on www.thisisplymouth

Police responses, the role of PCSOs, what the new Government means to policing in Plymouth and Scientology were also up for debate. Chief Superintendent Andy Bickley led a panel of policing experts in a live debate on The Herald's sister website for 90 minutes last night.

It was the fourth live debate and hundreds of people logged on to take part as questions and answers rolled out live.

Traffic was the most debated issue, with people wanting to know what police and PCSOs could do about bad driving in Beacon Park, parking on double yellow lines and whether foreign drivers could get away with points on their licence.

There were also questions on youth crime and antisocial behaviour.

"Angry" said: "It feels like children who are over the age of criminal responsibility are not made accountable for their actions in order to keep down crime statistics."

City centre neighbourhood beat manager PC Guy James replied: "We can reassure you that all those who engage in criminal activity will be held to account for their actions and that decisions are not based on influencing crime statistics."

Visible policing, crime statistics and fear of crime were also mentioned.

"Tommy" said: "I find it really pathetic how little officers there are on the streets."

Chief Supt Bickley replied: " I have been working as a police officer in Plymouth since 1987 and we have more officers today than we have had at any time."

"Pat" asked: "I am a 56 year old woman, who is afraid to walk the streets during the daytime, never mind the evening or night-time. Practically every day, we read about beatings, muggings etc etc, when are we going to have more visible police patrols so that we can feel safe to walk around again?"

Chief Supt Bickley replied: "I am really sorry you are living in fear of crime and that it is affecting your life in this way. I accept that this is your experience but Devon and Cornwall is the fourth safest area in the country in which to live.

"This is based on the likelihood of being a victim of crime according to the population against criminal incidents. Quite often, Press coverage is disproportionate with regard to the amount of crime actually occurring and can inflate fear of crime to a degree."

There were two questions on the recent acquisition of a Plymouth hotel to be converted into a Church of Scientology.

With regard to any possible protests, Chief Supt Bickley said they would react to intelligence and ensure peaceful protest could go ahead.

There were questions over whether the new Government would mean fewer targets for police to hit.

"Borris Napper" asked: "Does Devon and Cornwall Police intend on taking the lead and doing away with many of the targets set by the previous government that actually hinder real 'policing' and concentrating on the real job in hand?".

Chief Supt Bickley replied: "Devon and Cornwall Police will adhere to the performance regime set by the current Government. This allows a 'level playing field' when comparing the performance of different police forces and highlights areas where we can improve our 'real' policing skills."

There were also questions about PCSOs, and why none are about after 10pm when "the real trouble starts".

PCSO Kristy Monk replied: "PCSOs are employed and contracted to work between 8am and 10pm. We are a non-confrontational role specifically tasked to provide a high visibility police presence and reassurance within a specific community at peak times. We are not a police presence and deployment to incidents reported after 10pm are generally confrontational which could put a PCSO in danger as this is not the role in which they are intended for. PCSOs do not have the powers or personal protective equipment that police officers have."

At the end of the debate, Chief Supt Bickley said: "It is important that I and my team are available to hear and respond to the views of the people of Plymouth, and these debates provide a genuine and valuable opportunity to do that."