YP Letters: In a scrape over reporting of a crime

From: Dave Croucher, Pinfold Gardens, Doncaster.
South Yorkshire Police's response to crimes is under scrutiny.South Yorkshire Police's response to crimes is under scrutiny.
South Yorkshire Police's response to crimes is under scrutiny.

AT the beginning of last week, my wife and I went shopping in Thorne. We left the car parked facing the florists in The Green, we returned to it about 10 minutes later to find a scrape full length along the driver’s side.

Luckily three fine upstanding citizens saw what happened. A Nissan Micra had come down The Green and shot into the parking space at the side of my car and scraped right along the side. The driver then quickly reversed out and shot off.

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The wonderful people who witnessed what had happened waited and told me about it. Many thanks to the lady who was alert enough to write down the number plate for me.

The amount of running about and time wasted just to report crime was unbelievable. I called at Thorne Police Station, but there was no police desk and not even a police officer.

There was a yellow box on the wall at the side of the door. On opening it the door nearly fell off because it had a broken hinge. I picked up the phone from the wall and pressed the button. A voice came back to tell me anything that needed reporting had to be done at Doncaster Police Station in person.

The next day I went there and told an officer what had happened when trying to report to Thorne Police Station and was informed that this happened at all stations in the outlying areas owing to cuts.

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If there have to be such drastic cuts, at the top of the list to be removed or sacked should be Jeremy Hunt (Health), Philip Hammond (Chancellor) and now Amber Rudd (Policing & Crime).

The value of guards

From: CV Barton, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley.

I WRITE in response to Northern Rail’s proposed introduction of DOO (Driver Only Operation) trains.

The following are some of the questions to which I feel train passengers deserve answers from Northern Rail (or HM Railway Inspectorate).

1. Who will assist the many wheelchair users to load and exit trains? If the driver has to assist trains will be delayed.

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2. If the driver is taken ill who will be present to arrange emergency service cover?

3. Many railway workers are qualified in first aid and they do a speedy and excellent job when passengers are taken ill, who will do this?

4. Many station platforms are on a curve, Shipley station for instance. How can a driver see a train from the cab to ensure all doors are clear of users?

5. How can a driver see all doors in foggy conditions? I understand a driver is serving a prison sentence for starting a train with someone stuck in the doors.

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Many new railway users are reassured by the presence of a helpful guard. Guards provide an excellent service to many rail users. They are the railway and are very much undervalued.

Moored boats restrict flow

From: JR Goodman, Grove Close, Beverley.

THERE are over 80 boats with substantial loading stages moored along the banks of the River Hull between Beverley Beck and Ticton Bridge.

All are restricting the flow of the river. As the authority responsible for Riparian Rights, what is the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) doing to restore the efficiency of the flow of the river?

Removing the sunken boats from the river by ERYC is of little benefit, as just one obstruction will determine the flow capacity of the river.

In search of Smales

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From: Michael J Robinson, Park Lane, Berry Brow, Huddersfield.

ON the back page of Picture Past (The Yorkshire Post, March 14), alongside a photo of my old vicar from St James’ church, Bradford and his daughter Stella, was a photograph of another old friend, one Tommy Smales.

The caption read “Tommy Smales holds the Challenge Cup aloft after a final between Featherstone and Barrow in 1967.” Not so.

The photograph is not of Featherstone Rovers’ loose forward Tommy Smales but rather Huddersfield’s international scrum half of the same name, whose only appearance as a player at Wembley was when Huddersfield lost to Wakefield Trinity in 1962.

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I’m certain that the picture is of Fartown’s Tommy Smales and, if so, it was probably taken when he was coach of the Castleford team which had beaten Wigan in the 1970 Cup Final.

Bus and cycle lanes to blame

From: S Stevenson, Cross Gates, Leeds.

I WOULD like to comment on the farcical gridlocking which happens in Leeds, not just at peak time, but all day long. I put this down to bus and cycle lanes.

The bus lanes are almost always empty while cars and lorries are gridlocked in the middle of the road. I travel down York Road nearly every day and I haven’t seen anyone yet use the cycle lane (what a waste of money) but I have seen a cyclist using the road instead.

Why doesn’t Leeds Council see sense? Do like Liverpool and other cities and scrap them.

The abortion question

From: Theresa Quarmby, Highfield Road, Kirkburton.

I FIND it difficult to reconcile women in Africa weeping as they see their babies starving while Diana Johnson MP would like to see abortion up to birth.