I TAKE exception to uninformed criticism of the police ("Fuelling Anger", April 14). Hindsight is a wonderful skill but one which few people possess.

This incident was reported to the police at 16.15hrs on April 11. Staff at Tesco's described the driver as "a female in her 40s" and a check on the registration number revealed it to be owned by a male person, thus preventing us from carrying out such checks with the Police Computer Systems as you describe in your editorial.

Police officers initially called at the address earlier in the evening, but there was no reply. It is my experience that a large proportion of the vehicles used in make-offs from garages are either stolen or "pool vehicles" used by criminals.

Without the benefit of hindsight it was entirely possible that the vehicle had been stolen, and that the owner was unaware of that fact.

If that had been the case and we had waited until the next day to call, presumably your headline would have read something to the effect: "Police knew widow's car was stolen - but failed to follow it up".

The police have a duty to investigate reported crime and this is what we did.

Previously, the Evening Press has criticised us for responding too slowly to incidents, now we are being pilloried for reacting too quickly. Perhaps before calling on police to use common sense, you may wish to apply the same approach to your editorials.

I am all too aware that on occasions we do make mistakes and we must accept fair criticism when that occurs, but this is not such an occasion. I do not feel that your article or editorial reflected a fair and honest appraisal of the situation.

Andy Bell,

Chief Inspector,

York District Commander,

North Yorkshire Police Central Headquarters,

Fulford Road, York.

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, April 19, 2005