Residents fear post isn't safe

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http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/black ... 4457628.jp

Published Date:
04 September 2008
By Joe Robinson

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ROYAL Mail was today slammed by residents who fear their post is no longer safe.

Concerned locals – who lost their post office earlier this year – say mail is being left in a canvas trolley tied to a lamp-post.

They fear it could become a target for thieves as the trolley may contain parcels, cheque books, credit cards and bills with vital personal information.

Staff from the local sorting office are regularly seen depositing mail in the container. It is then picked up by a local postman who goes off on his rounds on his bike.

Mail from the sorting office used to be stored at the former post office in Poulton's Hardhorn Way – closed as part of massive cost cutting – and then picked up by a postman.

Pensioner Pauline Macken, of Hodder Way, who led a campaign against the closure of the branch, said: "It's scandalous and our post is not safe.

"Anyone could cut this container from the lamp-post and take it away.

"There could be credit cards or anything in there and someone could just cut it open, empty it out and do anything with them."

Wyre MP Ben Wallace called the use of the container "amateurish" and said he would take up the case at the highest level.

He said: "It seems Royal Mail is playing fast and loose with people's valuable letters and parcels.

"It's bad enough closing the post office in Poulton but to provide this kind of amateurish, third world service to the people of Poulton is simply not acceptable.

"I will be writing to the Post Office Chief Executive Alan Cook this week and asking him to look at the issue and make sure it is resolved."

Poulton councillor Barry Birch added: "In my opinion the post
office is failing in its duty to take mail delivery seriously.

"They have shown little regard for the people of Poulton when they closed the post office and they are again to those people who depend on receiving their mail.

"It's an example of the total disintegration of Royal Mail services that is happening and it's sad to see."

The use of the trolley was witnessed by The Gazette yesterday.

A postman was seen to open the box, take the mail out and sort it on a garden wall before setting off on his rounds.

Despite the criticism Royal Mail bosses today defended the system and said residents' mail was safe.

A spokeswoman said: "For security reasons we cannot discuss the equipment or its usage in detail.

"However, I can assure our customers it is secure and that it has only been used temporarily and for short periods during delivery times."

The Gazette's Stand up for Post Office campaign saw almost 10,000 people sign a petition against the closure of 12 Fylde branches – 59 across Lancashire.

Despite six weeks consultation, and thousands expressing their disgust at the closures, only one Lancashire office – in Warton Street in Lytham – was reprieved and kept open.