Calm down, the "We're all doomed Brigade"!!!!!!!This is just a political football.

Before you all start reading something deeper into this "business" (too late for some already) you should be aware that the Chief Constable has been appealing for years (mostly to deaf ears) for permission to increase the size of his force. When major events are on, most/all of his officers are involved and overtime quotas are used up.

If all else has failed you in your appeal for more staff, what would you do? I'd (indirectly) give my problem more media coverage.