Madam, It is not often that I find reason to complain about the content of the Ross Gazette but I do feel that your extensive coverage, with a banner headline, on the front page of last week's edition relating to an attempted break-in at St Mary's Rectory was somewhat excessive. Actual break-ins, where substantial amounts of property have been stolen, are normally only given a few lines in your News in Brief column on an inside page. Also, of what interest to your readers was a large photograph of the rectory and a tiny photograph of two of the officers who responded to the incident?

Furthermore, why was there no mention in last week's edition of the tragic shooting in Helmand Province of Warrant Officer 'Pez' Thomas from Symond's Yat by a rogue Afghan policeman? This happened on the same weekend as the attempted break-in at St Mary's Rectory and was widely reported in the national press and on radio and television. Several Ross councillors even received requests for 'soundbites'!

Dai Harries

Ross on Wye

Editors' note

Unfortunately the identity of the soldiers shot in Afghanistan were not revealed by the MOD until after we had gone to press on Tuesday. As soon as this information was available to the Gazette we announced it on our website and facebook pages appearing online at around 7.30pm on Tuesday evening – these are the only way we can give updates on news which happens after our deadlines. It is unfortunate but the nature of the business on occasions. Anyone who reads the Gazette online or our facebook page will have seen the reportage of the sad news early Tuesday evening.

Our coverage of crime and any other news is sometimes governed by what we are told. Stories that are of great importance to some readers, may not be as important to others. However, as a newspaper in a small town like Ross. We do our best to cover all events of interest to all our readers.

Following cutbacks in the police budget we no longer receive a round up of the incidents local police attend. We have access to a media officer based in the West Midlands who will give information if we can make specific requests. This means that we have to know about an incident before we can get confirmation from the police. Editorially, we felt the case referred to had pertinence because someone was present in the building when the burglary was happening. Her actions and the police response may very well have been reassuring for our readers.

As with any type of news the Ross Gazette is not in a privileged position we only know the same things that the rest of the general public is entitled to know. Therefore we rely on people talking to us and telling about anything which has happened. Some people are much more forthcoming than others. I hope this reassures Mr Harries and other readers that the Gazette will always aim to cover news in Ross.