It takes a case like the conviction of the Norfolk farmer Tony Martin to make ministers and opinion-formers realise how out of touch they are with the way people are feeling. In villages such as Othery, the fear of crime is every bit as damaging and undermining to community spirit as villainy itself. Quite rightly, the statisticians at Avon and Somerset's head quarters cannot justify putting another officer in the area. Even PC Cooke is hard-pressed to think of reasons why she should have help. The community, though, feels isolated and vulnerable.
Depression is pervasive and deep-rooted.
Crime rates remain the same, PC Cooke tootles around in her car none the wiser, and the force sees no good reason to consider re-evaluating the situation. The police, on the other hand, believe villagers cling to the idea of having a beat bobby because it represents an age which has passed. But PC Danny Morgan, who was Othery's much-loved policeman between 1954 and 1970, says he dealt with just as much crime in his day. Village life is changing at a speed many find hard to accept. Wrexham is a different case altogether.