I HAVE always thought and argued the reason for the rapid and far-reaching spread of this killer pandemic, which has caused some many people to die, is because people will not obey the rules laid down by the government, masks-distancing-stay at home.

My suspicions have being confirmed, but nearer to home now. The council, with the Coastguards, have fenced off the Undercliff Walks to keep people safe should the cliffs collapse.

Yet today I have witnessed people snapping ties and pulling down the fencing to gain access to the undercliffs.

It is clearly “criminal damage", a criminal offence. A police matter. No doubt they would be the first to call for help if they were buried under falling rock then try and blame the authorities for their injuries.

You contact the police, trying to be a responsible citizen, where you are told it is nothing to do with them and the line goes dead.

So a criminal offence is no longer a police matter or responsibility? So I ask this question: What is the police’s responsibility?

To me, the police’s attitude these days is to do as little as possible and only what they want. Let me give an example, Recently I was held up due to a minor car collision on the seafront. No one was hurt, yet there were three police cars and at least ten police person standing around chatting.

Ask for help and they are always too busy.

Is there any answer to this wanton disregard for the law? Not with the present police force, I fear, unless their attitudes change and treat the general public with respect.

John Armstrong

Address supplied