Police showed lack of respect to Marines band

I had the pleasure of attending the Staple Hill British Legion Drum Service on Sunday at Staple Hill Park, part of the Armed Services Weekend.

It is rare that we see the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines leading a parade through the streets of Bristol.

It was therefore with utter disbelief that I witnessed a miserable and embarrassing effort by Avon and Somerset Constabulary in terms of traffic control while this was happening.

After what was a very pleasant service, followed by a precise display of marching and musicianship typical of any RM Band, the march back to the British Legion in Staple Hill was hindered by cars and lorries being allowed to continue down the main street towards the park.

At one point, the band was forced to squeeze together to get through a narrow gap because a lorry had been allowed through.

I found it incredible that our local police failed to shut the road off. All that was needed to allow the public to show the respect to the band and Legionnaires marching was the 10 minutes they thoroughly deserved.

Chris Gould, Kingswood