GM POLICE FAIL TO RULE OUT POSSIBLE AXING OF X-CARS

THEY WERE A MEDIA SENSATION, when shown on BBC TV - the fly-on-the-wall documentary about Manchester's X-Cars attracted record numbers of viewers, including myself. Bobbies that talked and dressed like guys you'd meet down the snooker club drove high powered cars kitted out with video cameras, and targeted so-called "joy riders" - youths who steal cars, drive them at dangerous speeds and frequently crash them, causing injury or death to themselves or others.

Spokesmen for the X-Cars say they have a good record in catching offenders and in preventing crime, but now, Greater Manchester Police say the X-Cars may have to go under cost-cutting plans. I think it would send out the wrong message to car thieves city-wide if the X-Cars were disbanded, and I don't think they will be.