WHILE it was very sad to learn about the 999 call from the despairing 95 year-old in Middleton who was basically lonely and isolated, the response from police was heartwarming.

PC Stu Ockwell called round for a cuppa and a chat because they were concerned for the welfare of elderly Fred and Doris Thomson. Unsurprisingly, there has been criticism about use of resources but, for me, this is what police are also there for: to be a positive influence in the community. It doesn’t show up in annual police crime figures, but that accessibility is really important to ordinary citizens.