Police health 'at risk' from mast (From Stroud News and Journal)

Police health 'at risk' from mast

police in Stroud could be struck down with a variety of ailments when the TETRA mast is switched on at the station next month according to Anti-tetra mast campaigner Lynne Edmunds.

Police officers in Lancashire, Yorkshire and West Mercia, where Tetra has already been brought in, have reported more than 200 cases of severe deafness, migraines, nausea and disrupted sleep patterns and body warming which is believed to be caused by the system.

The officers affected now plan to sue their chief constable.

"It is quite possible that officers in Stroud will suffer the same illnesses as their counterparts," said Ms Edmunds.

And she is concerned that Gloucestershire police see no reason to delay the introduction of a powerful radio system despite safety concerns at other stations.

"I'm appalled that the chief constable doesn't think it is worth postponing TETRA until he can satisfy himself that the growing number of Police officers had not been made ill."

The introduction of TETRA in Gloucestershire has been delayed on several occasions. County police say this is due to problems with finding sites for transmitters rather than health fears.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "We can see no reason to alter our plans to accept the service later this year but we will be watching developments with interest."

However, Ms Edmunds is concerned that lack of action could prove costly to the tax payer if officers later decide to sue.

"Since a recent change in legal liability, actions will be taken against the police authority not the chief constable. The public should be doubly concerned that we all could end up footing a bill of hundreds of thousands of pounds."

The radio system operated by O2 Airwave provides a unified radio for the emergency services and allows a greater coverage, preventing radio waves being scanned.

The system is planned to be in use by 53 forces in England and Wales by 2005.