Furious elderly fear ludicrous Rm plan make them vulnerable

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Furious elderly fear ‘ludicrous’ Royal Mail plan will make them vulnerable to crooks

http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/ne ... _1_1742351" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A group of elderly residents say they are being “held to ransom” by the Royal Mail over a “ludicrous” plan which could leave them vulnerable to burglars over the festive period.

Three blocks of flats in Poplar Way, Barkingside have been asked to extend the hours in which their secure entry system is left open so that their mail can be delivered later in the day.

Barbara Vigon, chairman of the residents association, said: “Eighty per cent of the residents are elderly or disabled, with the majority being females who live alone. Unfortunately when the flats were built, no letter box was installed.

“Now the post office are asking us to change our security service timer which has proved extremely effective against burglars.”

Ilford Post Office has asked residents to allow their entry system to remain open for two hours longer so that post can be delivered over the Christmas period.

Mrs Vigon said: “I feel like we are being held to ransom. What’s the point in having a secure system if it’s just going to be open, and is against the advice of the police? It’s ludicrous.

“If we do not make the change, the post office have told us they won’t be responsible for us getting our post.

“This is the first time this has happened in 22 years and now there is less post than ever.”

PCSO Darren Jenkins, of Aldborough’s safer neighbourhood team, said: “I think the system should be kept the same: it has worked all this time and why is this Christmas any different from any other?

“The security system makes people feel safer and if those doors are left open any longer, it gives a bigger window of opportunity for a burglary to take place and anyone can get in.”

Treasurer of the residents’ association, Sandra Field, added: “My main concern is burglary. We are coming up to Christmas now which is the best time for them to target us.

“The post office don’t seem to want to do their job properly.”

Royal Mail spokesman, Valerie Antoine, said: “At this busy time of year we have asked some customers in Barkingside who have time locks at their premises to extend their release time, in order for us to make deliveries to our customers first time.

“We understand that some customers are concerned by this, therefore we will be liaising with representatives on how best to resolve this situation.”

[Mr Rush]

Unfortunately when the flats were built, no letter box was installed.

The alternative should be clear, then. I had no-access problems on an old walk and the residents put some money together and quickly had a letterbox installed.

[DB1100]

Is their fear of crime that bad?,It must be horrible to live like that

[TeeferTiger]

Well the solution is to get letterboxes installed then, isn't it? RM don't guarantee the time of the mail, only before a certain time so they either provide access for within those times, or make other arrangements. Hardly a ludicrous plan.

[Darren Bent]

Yes it is a problem getting in to deliver the mail. 7am start time doesn't work for those reasons as we can't get out in time for time secured flat entry

[DGP1]

PCSO Darren Jenkins, of Aldborough’s safer neighbourhood team, said: “I think the system should be kept the same: it has worked all this time and why is this Christmas any different from any other?

What a knob..............now, let me think we Christmas is any different to other times of the year? Would it be the same as why the police are busier on a Friday and Saturday night.............I think they should just have the same amount of officers on as at 11am on a Tuesday morning.

[RedBagMan]

Must be an "Engineers Option" access code - why not let RM know same ??

[DB1100]

How would they get out if there was a fire.

[MGB]

PCSO Darren Jenkins, of Aldborough’s safer neighbourhood team, said: “I think the system should be kept the same: it has worked all this time and why is this Christmas any different from any other?

What a knob..............now, let me think we Christmas is any different to other times of the year? Would it be the same as why the police are busier on a Friday and Saturday night.............I think they should just have the same amount of officers on as at 11am on a Tuesday morning.

That's not what he said:

He said:

why is this Christmas any different from any other[Christmas - NOT other time of year]?

[DGP1]

PCSO Darren Jenkins, of Aldborough’s safer neighbourhood team, said: “I think the system should be kept the same: it has worked all this time and why is this Christmas any different from any other?

What a knob..............now, let me think we Christmas is any different to other times of the year? Would it be the same as why the police are busier on a Friday and Saturday night.............I think they should just have the same amount of officers on as at 11am on a Tuesday morning.

That's not what he said:

He said:

why is this Christmas any different from any other[Christmas - NOT other time of year]?

But he's still a knob, delivery times have changed, just like drinking times have changed........maybe he thinks they are back back in the 50's for the mail service but not for the police service.

[fishtank]

No-one is forcing them to change anything.
Just making them aware that if they don't we might not be able to gain access to deliver the mail.
Seems a simple enough concept to comprehend so i don't know how that warrants a story in the local rag or a comment from a pretend copper.
Slow news day and "community support" day all in one i suppose.