Police number should be made obvious (From Oxford Mail)

Police number should be made obvious

2:58pm Monday 8th February 2010

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IF YOU ever have cause to ring for the police, other than 999, where can you find your local police station number in the phone book? Why can’t it be given prominence, say on the front cover, in bold figures?

A few years ago, I had cause to ring the police because youths playing football in Horspath Road had broken my bedroom window.

I was in possession of a yellow card which was headed ‘Police’ underneath which was, I presumed, a station number.

I rang it and eventually a voice told me there was no one there and asked me ring back later.

In disgust I tore up the card and rang 999 and related my tale of woe, whereupon I was told that because I lived in a cul-de-sac, they couldn’t stop children playing.

I rang off and remonstrated with these youths – who, to my surprise, picked up the ball and sauntered away – though without apology or recompense. So I was left to pick up the pieces and get the glass fitted at my expense.

D ROTHERY, Horspath Road, Cowley, Oxford

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