Reader's Letter: Wilmslow Police Station's useless and ornamental public phone box

Above are three photographs that show the public telephone box on the wall of the Wilmslow Police station.

The instruction is to call 101 to contact a member of the police response customer help team. Spot the problem?

I contacted the Police & Crime Commissioners office on the 3rd October 24, but, thus far, no corrective action has been taken either by the Police or the PPC.

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Reader's Letter
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

James Morris
Monday 21st October 2024 at 11:26 am
Hello Christopher,

I have checked the phone this afternoon and it is working now. Lifting the receiver and pressing 1 will connect to the non-emergency line. You can also do this by dialling 101 off any phone - although, of course, use 999 in an emergency.

If it is more convenient, you can alternatively make a report or request online at http://www.cheshire.police.uk/contact

- PCSO Morris
Christopher Evans
Thursday 24th October 2024 at 4:47 pm
Hello PCSO Morris,
Thank you for attending to this matter. Earlier this evening, I noticed that as I approached the phone box the overhead light came on. After opening the lid of the box I notice also that a self explanatory notice has been stuck to the casing. It confirms that pressing Number 1 on the list of buttons connects the caller to the non-emergency line. This is progress. See photo added above.

Thank you ~ Christopher Evans.
Laurie Atterbury
Friday 25th October 2024 at 5:33 am
Christopher, I think you're suggesting that there is no zero to press/dial? My take on this was you just need to press button 1 to get through 101.
Christopher Evans
Sunday 27th October 2024 at 7:52 am
Hello Ms Atterbury,

Your inclination regarding the direction of travel concerning the phone system was in line with my thinking. Now let me explain what happened on Wednesday the 02nd Oct 2024.

First, the PS is not open to the public and the non emergency telephone receptionist is off site and remote from Wilmslow.
Second, a new PS is being built in the corner of of the old PS yard so builders were about but they did not have access to the old PS. On Wednesday morning the 02nd Oct I found a woman's purse whilst volunteer litter picking in Banks Square. It contained a bank card and a photograph. I went to the PS to report the find and hand it in. I lifted the handset receiver and pressed number 1. The connection was not clear because there was cross talk on the line and I could hardly hear it, nor break into the indistinct chatter. In frustration I put the handset back in its holder. I waited for a Police vehicle to enter the compound, luckily one arrived quite quickly coming in from the public road. I spoke to the two policemen and explained why I was there. I gave them the purse. They said they would deal with the
matter.
What would you have done in my situation? The instructions on the phone system were not clear and when I tried to use it I was unsuccessful. Even if I had successfully spoken to an off site receptionist what do you think I would have been told to do with the purse that I found in Banks Square? Perhaps take it to my home address and wait to be contacted by somebody at a time of their choosing.
My frustration kicked in and I reported the inadequacy of the telephone non emergency reporting system. I hope this clarifies the matter for you.
John Harries
Wednesday 30th October 2024 at 4:55 pm
This was the original 'phone-point station' idea when the decision was taken (and justification made) to close our [relatively] modern Wilmslow Police Station (and we were to be left with - perhaps - a (hopefully) updated 'phone located in shelter/under cover somewhere within an otherwise private residential development). Meanwhile planning for this 'imaginative and exciting new Wilmslow Gateway scheme' is still being kicked around but cash has presumably changed hands and is now being put to 'better' use elsewhere in Cheshire East....let's see what we eventually are fobbed-off with as adequate policing resources for Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Handforth (and Morley, Mottram, Over/Nether, Styal...) - anyone have a figure on the current population for this area - which is notionally 12 miles distant and more than 20 minutes drive from the nearest directly operational/responsible police station.

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