IN response to Superintendent Ian Johns' letter dated August 18, whilst I appreciate that 'not many people would want to swap roles with an officer at 11pm on a Friday night, being verbally abused', that is exactly what I had to do, not just on a Friday, but whenever problems happened outside my home.

I live in a particularly troublesome spot in Wincham, often having objects thrown at my window and witnessing violent and aggressive behaviour.

As a mother, I spent a three year period (while residing in Wincham), fearing for the safety and well-being of myself and most importantly of my children.

When I did contact the police, rarely was anybody terribly interested and the advice I received was conflicting.

Some officers saying "don't go out and get personally involved", others saying, "we can't come out, but have you tried having a quiet word?"

This put me in a 'catch 22' situation, whereby I was either meant to sit and let my windows get smashed and property damaged, (I wonder how many people could do that while their children slept in their beds?), or I could try going out and having a quiet word, thereby putting myself in an 'at risk' situation.

So Mr Johns, I do agree, no, I didn't like swapping roles with an officer, but then, neither am I paid or trained to do so. The point I am making is that in a so called civilised society such as ours, day in, day out for three years, I felt fear. I was scared in my own home and your force was of no help or comfort at all.

I might just add that prior to this I had a lot of respect for the 'police force', but basically, you let me down badly when I needed you most.

M TOLCHARD

Northway,

Winnington.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.