Public opinion

Sir,

As a regular reader of MOTOR SPORT I have followed with interest the series to and from members of the Police Force concerning the activities of Police Officers on the road, and I would like to recount the incident which I witnessed tonight on the A30 between Hounslow and Staines.

I was following a “Noddy” at a distance of about 100 yards as we approached a cross-roads controlled by traffic lights. We were both doing about 40 m.p.h. when we first saw the traffic lights, which were then green but which changed to amber as the policeman neared them.

The cross-roads, I should explain, are at right angles, and as one travels towards Staines the nearside corner is occupied by a public house.

There was a flicker of his brake light as, without signalling, the “Noddy” turned left into the pub. yard. He rode his machine across the car park to the exit into the road coming from the left and turned right, such that he was now travelling at right angles to his original course, approaching the lights, which of course were green from his new direction.

He then turned left so that he was now again going towards Staines, having gained about 20 seconds as the lights changed colour again.

I have been stopped by the police whilst riding a push-bicycle (when delivering morning papers) through this short cut.

[Name and address supplied.—ED.] “AMAZED!”
[We publish this letter, not because we can see any harm at all in a “Noddy” taking such a short cut but because it reflects on the critical attitude members of the public now adopt towards the Police Force, due to those in authority directing its officers and men to concentrate on motoring offences, the majority of a minor nature, while letting armed criminals roam free.—[ED.]