Mast comments are 'misleading' (From Gazette Series)

Mast comments are 'misleading'

SIR - I was interested to read the comments by Chief Supt Ackland in the article about Dursley TETRA mast (Gazette, January 2) suggesting that removal/ switching off of this controversial mast would seriously affect the ability to police in the town and place officers in jeopardy.

I was under the impression that, apart from Lancashire police force. no police force in this country is truly 'live' with this system and the implication that Gloucestershire police are totally reliant on this system is in my opinion misleading.

All forces (that have TETRA), as far as I am aware, are running the system in parallel with the old analogue system, therefore there is absolutely no reason that the immediate switching off of this mast would cause serious problems to communications.

O2 and the local police authority know of the huge public outcry about TETRA masts in residential areas right across the country. The health problems that have occurred in Dursley need to be addressed immediately and to ignore this situation in this way and hide behind these ridiculous excuses is irresponsible and creates even more distrust in our authorities by ordinary people - right across the country.

Ultimately the government is to blame for these horrendous situations. However individuals and authorities that take the same unmoving, unquestioning line must also take responsibility for the mounting problems.

Lisa M Oldham, Director, Mast Sanity, Seven Stiles Drive, Marple, Stockport