I WOULD like to congratulate two North Yorkshire police officers on their excellent early morning work when they stopped me in the pedestrianised city centre for riding my pedal cycle through a red light, and issued me with a £30 fixed penalty.

I realise the fact that it was two o'clock in the morning, raining and the streets were deserted was no excuse for my anti-social behaviour.

Next time I dial 999 and wait in excess of four minutes for the phone to be answered I will understand completely the reason for the delay.

I have been told in the past the police have to prioritise, and they will presumably be busy chasing middle-aged cyclists running riot through the centre of town.

As your letter columns confirm cyclists are the scourge of our city and nothing less than zero tolerance is acceptable.

Doubtless the two officers concerned will have been the talk of the Fulford Road canteen. After all this type of action is exactly what is needed to improve the police image and relations with the public at large.

I would have nominated the officers for an award, however I must end with a word of admonishment. Neither officer noticed that when I was pulled over and propped my bike against a shop front that it was in fact facing in the opposite direction to the traffic flow. Tut tut.

John Hirst,

Doherty Walk,

Foxwood,

York.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, April 16, 2004