WHEN people ring the police, they expect their call to be dealt with promptly. What they don't want to hear is that no one is available to help for two hours.

Yet this is exactly what happened to one civic-minded citizen who tackled youths at the Co-op Late Shop in Tang Hang Lane, York. To make matters more embarrassing for the police, the man asking for assistance was one of their own.

The off-duty officer had bravely stepped in to deal with youths who were trying to steal cases of lager. For his trouble, PC Alistair Kennan suffered serious bruising after shopping baskets were thrown at him. Thank heavens he came to no graver harm.

We shudder to think what might have happened had knives been involved.

Customers and staff were trapped in the store. This was a frightening situation for everyone. The police response, or lack of such, was just not good enough.

People expect better of the police. Antisocial behaviour and street crime spoil life for so many ordinary, hard-working people. A rapid and proper response to outbreaks of crime or anti-social nastiness is vital if people are to feel that the police offer any sort of protection.

Chief Superintendent John Lacy has ordered an internal investigation into the incident, which is a welcome development. Mr Lacy points out that the day in question was particularly busy, combining the last race meeting of the year at Knavesmire with the England versus Turkey football match.

These two sporting occasions coming together will have stretched resources, but events have a habit of arriving awkwardly. The police should still have been able to deal with important calls.

This is particularly relevant at a time when North Yorkshire Chief Constable Della Cannings is again asking for a big rise in funds from local residents. If people are going to pay more, they will expect more.

Updated: 09:51 Friday, November 21, 2003