THIS paper has had reason to lend its support to our area's most senior policeman, Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden, on numerous occasions lately.

West Oxfordshire's area commander seems to have his finger on the pulse, and echoes the thoughts and aspirations of many of us on a wide range of issues.

A fierce advocate of personal responsibility, he has spoken out against irresponsible parents, rowdy youths, and cruel conmen - frequently urging us all to play our part in making this district one of the safest in the country.

His calls, this week, for 'zero tolerance' on drug dealing have once again hit the mark.

Surely his warning to dealers that detectives are watching them, should act as a chilling deterrent to anyone considering embarking down this dangerous and destructive route.

* The announcement yesterday that Oxford City Council has failed in its bid for unitary status will surely be welcomed by most people in West Oxfordshire.

We are in the fortunate position of having a relatively low council tax bill compared to other districts - including Cherwell. The district council's leader Barry Norton and his colleagues have argued that those bills would soar if plans to switch to a unitary system had been given the go-ahead.

But it was not only the financial argument which got local people's backs up.

West Oxfordshire people are proud of their district and its heritage, and will surely join their representatives on the district council in celebrating the fact that common sense, for once, seems to have prevailed.