Police injury policy is ridiculous

SHOP-LIFTERS may soon be able to join the police force but if you fell when you were 12 it is possible you will be sent a Dear John letter.

While Thames Valley Police are desperately searching for new recruits and have even targeted redundant Welsh steel workers, it seems people are being turned away for something as petty as a knee injury, sustained years ago and perfectly healed.

Surely this is a ridiculous set of circumstances when the force is so desperate for officers.

Many people at some time in their life have fallen and broken bones in their body but does that really make them unfit to join up?

It must be hard enough to attract people into the force when the money is not fantastic and housing costs are so high.

It takes a special kind of person to go for the type of job where one night you find yourself wrestling with a drunk on the streets of High Wycombe and another speaking to the family of someone who has just committed suicide.

We are bombarded with adverts trying to recruit officers, including having to put up with the face of Patsy Palmer on television harping on about how special you have to be to do the job.

Sarah Russell has wanted to serve her community as a police officer since childhood and has all the traits the police say they are looking for. Her dedication and aptitude for her chosen career cannot be questioned.

As a member of the cadets and the Specials, she seems ideal but perhaps she would have fared better with a minor conviction on her application rather than a minor injury.

Lead shield is not so silly

IT may sound like a drastic action to want to build a metal shield in your garden.

But Grant Hopkins' idea will be supported by many people who fear that mobile phone masts carry a health risk.

Residents in Marlow Bottom are outraged that the Government's planning inspectorate has overuled Wycombe District Council and allowed the mast to put up outside Mr Hopkins' home.

Many felt the plan was dead in the water when the council overwhelmingly rejected Orange's proposal.

Members quite rightly looked at the strength of public opinion when making their judgement, but the inspectorate said the service needs of Orange were more important.

The decision will leave residents asking if there is any point campaigning against masts if the local authority can be so easily overturned.

The mobile phone giants claim there is no conclusive evidence to link exposure to radio waves with a health risk. But the same has been said about smoking and living near pylons in the past.

Until it can be definitely established that there is no health risk from masts, companies should make every effort to take local concerns into account and build them as far away from homes as possible. But that is unlikely to happen if it is not the cheapest option.

Mr Hopkins fears for his children's safety if this mast goes up. Whether he is right or wrong he should be given permission to build his shield. Why should any of us take the risk that radio waves may be causing harm to those we love the most?