WHATEVER did anyone do to deserve chief constable Della Cannings?

Yes Della I am a critic who sits at home writing letters. I have also just completed a drug awareness course in the past 12 months and work on a voluntary basis for the homeless - drug and alcohol addicts on a daily basis between 20 to 30 hours per week.

I work with the people Della does not want to know or pretends don't exist. But they do exist, they will always be a part of our community, and no they will not go away and why should they?

I do not have to be a special constable to serve my community.

The York council sent every householder details of the York Pride Action Line for anyone to telephone in regarding criminal damage, drug abuse etc.

I telephoned. After waiting 15 minutes before I was answered, I reported youths drinking alcohol and possibly taking drugs and causing criminal damage.

I was then told it is not illegal for the youths to be consuming alcohol, there was not much they could do, if it got any worse would I please ring back.

The result to me was a period of wasted time and energy, plus the phone bill. The result to the community was seven smashed windows, four trees desecrated and a residue of drug and alcohol abuse spread around the playing fields.

I now say to Della, come out from behind your desk. I invite you to spend five days with me living as a member of the public. I promise to show you the world that exists now.

Karen Dillon,

White Rose Avenue,

New Earswick, York.

...AS Chief Constable Cannings is finding out, if you stick your head over the parapet you will draw fire.

I and every other law-abiding citizen have to support and keep faith in the police force, even though we are constantly let down by the law courts, or anarchy will prevail.

My own experiences include 35 minutes trying to report yobbish behaviour in the area only to be told: "We are busy". My response: "I'll sort it out myself".

The police responded - not to the yobs. I did not even have time to get out of the door before a man in a white shirt full of shoulder pips and a stern look on his face appeared to warn me off taking action.

So please Ms Cannings do not make our police force inaccessible or you may end up not knowing who is on your side and who is not.

R Waite,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate,

York.

Updated: 12:56 Thursday, March 04, 2004