Monday, May 01, 2006
Gloucestershire Police
A police officer was stopped from using a bus to travel to his village beat because of health and safety fears.
The situation began in January, when Police Community Support Officer Ian Yeomans failed to attend a parish council meeting.
It emerged that he did not have his own transport, but could not use the bus until a health and safety assessment was carried out.
Gloucestershire police said the problem had now been resolved.
Inspector Steve Williams said "We obviously have a duty of care and have to assess the health and safety aspects and logistics of the situation. "
Parish council chairman Mike Stuart, who first raised concerns about the situation, now accepts there were difficulties.
He said: "In a car it's different and there are electronics that can boost the signal, but on a bus he would just have his walkie-talkie."
PCSO Yeomans is now carrying out his duties in a car.
Lack of Common Sense Rating: 6.0
Cos you been on a bus lately?
