OAPs denied mail after knife threat at Golcar sheltered home

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-we ... -26983043/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ELDERLY residents were left without their post when Royal Mail suspended deliveries following knife threats from a neighbour.

Postmen refused to deliver mail to Sycamore Grange sheltered housing complex, Golcar, after a resident threatened a postman with a butter knife.

The complex, off Sycamore Avenue, is run by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) for elderly people, some of whom have mental health problems.

The building, which has 41 flats, has a common entrance which anyone entering must use.

It is understood the female resident, who has a history of mental illness, threatened a postman on July 21.

Royal Mail said deliveries to Sycamore Grange resumed yesterday.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail takes very seriously the safety of its employees – particularly our frontline postmen and women who deliver the mail. After a brief and temporary suspension, we are delivering mail as normal.”

David Townend’s 85-year-old mother Rose Varley lives at Sycamore Grange.

Mr Townend has criticised KNH for housing old people and people with mental health problems in the same complex.

He said: “Whilst the lack of mail is a severe problem to many of the residents for a variety of reasons, the more serious problem is of course, knife-wielding mentally ill people in the midst of some of our most vulnerable elderly people.

“Do we really have to wait until one of the residents is killed or seriously injured before Kirklees Council accept there is a serious problem housing mentally ill people in this kind of accommodation?

“My mother likes living there. The majority of people there are perfectly ok. They have a social club and she’s heavily involved with it.”

A KNH spokesman said: “We’re very sorry that residents have been worried and inconvenienced by a recent incident involving a butter knife at one of our granges but can assure them that we are dealing with it.

“KNH staff volunteered to continue to deliver the post while the incident was being investigated last week. Royal Mail decided this was a low risk situation so regular deliveries have now resumed. All other services have continued as normal.

“We are aware this kind of housing may not be appropriate for all older people, especially those who need extra care. Unfortunately, this is not always apparent before they move in and, over the course of time, needs will increase as individuals’ health deteriorates. We are now working with other agencies to find the best solution for the person involved and for the other residents.”

[not me]

Royal Mail decided this was a low risk situation so regular deliveries have now resumed. All other services have continued as normal.

always seems a bit safer from the office.........

[fishtank]

An old lady on my delivery accused me a few months ago of tampering with her mail.

First of all I was told this by the warden of the resi home, also telling me this woman was mentally unstable. My reply was that if she has a complaint she must ring cust services, meanwhile I informed manager of the accusation. Warden also phoned manager and explained the situation with this ladies mental health.

So she does this and a special instruction is put among my gear saying I have to take all her mail to the manager before bundling up, fine.

She gets absolutely tons of stuff, 15-20 letters per day from those scammers from all around the world.

So the manager checks it for about a month, then tells me to leave the special instruction but not to do it any more, only cover should do it from now on he says.

Now this morning, the warden informs me, the lady is going ape, same accusations, but she cant calm her down. Now she tells me if the lady questions me, come find me she says, or pull the emergency cord, but dont get into an argument with her, she could do anything. Also that she is going to get onto Social Services again about her as she is crazy.

Bit worried about delivering her mail now, if the warden is seriously worried about what she may do, there must be cause for concern.

[Lounge Lizard]

"Royal Mail takes very seriously the safety of its employees" - how very reassuring

[plainpat]

Seems like a clear cut case of Assault and Buttery to me..


I'll get me coat.......