It may have been more than 50 years ago, but my first involvement with the police was when elected as vice-chairman of the local junior accident prevention council in a Lancashire town.

Juvenile crime those days was usually dealt with by the local bobby on his beat, perhaps on a bicycle.

Recent crime figures for Croydon and statements by borough commander Mark Gore claim it is the safest borough in London. But the figures relate to reported crime.

If one is to believe the statistics then Croydonians have little to fear, especially on late-night shopping evenings.

My recent experiences paint a far different picture from that portrayed by Mr Gore and Councillor Steve O'Connell, cabinet member for safer environment and security.

On March 9, I was involved in an incident with a taxi driver in High Street. I was advised by an armed response unit to walk to Croydon police station to make a statement as prima facie there was a case of a public order offence.

Having been assured by the previous incumbent, Vicki Marr, that steps were being taken to improve reception areas at police stations, especially Croydon, I looked forward with eager anticipation.

I waited nearly two hours to be seen (queue of two people), as a diabetic person was not even offered a glass of water and was unable to make a statement.

I observed that the station was opened by Prince Charles in 1980 and the so-called "ticket" for the queue said 85. It's been like that for 18 months, there are no tickets and the telephone says 999 calls only.

On Thursday, March 10, I was assaulted - for reasons I know not - by no fewer than five unidentified security personnel in a store near West Croydon.

I made my way to the police station - not a single policeman of any status in sight. Same scenario - waited almost two hours, before making my way to the coffee shop at the nearby Fairfield Halls. One police officer on duty - one person in the queue!

Ask any bus driver, any taxi-driver, and they'll tell you the same thing. Contacting the police is a waste of time. Can we all be wrong?

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