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Cops' home blunder

Mark Hesford
11/ 7/2008

ARMED police "frightened the life" out of a Moston woman when they turned up on her doorstep in a bungle over her address.

Audrey Pugh has also had fire engines, ambulances and other police units call at her home in Broadlands Walk because of a mix-up with the 999 services.

The council even agreed to put up a sign to help stop the confusion. But it hasn't worked and police still knock on Miss Pugh's door, mistaking it for another property nearby.

"The council put a sign up to try and make it clear that my house isn't the one they're confusing it for, but the police musn't look at it," she said.

"They've been jumping my gate, banging at my door, looking through my windows. One time, the police came armed and it frightened the life out of me.

"They're just not looking where they're going. It's harassment. They promised this would never happen again, but then they did it last Tuesday (1 July).

"I know they're only doing their job, but why can't they get the right house?"

Local police say the "confusing layout" of the homes is the problem and have logged Miss Pugh's house on their computer system in a bid to stop it happening.

On Tuesday evening police visited Miss Pugh yet again, but this time all they were armed with was a big bunch of flowers to apologise.

Neighbourhood Inspector Leon Jacobs said: "The geographical layout of the area is very misleading.

"The issue is the signage – it doesn't make it clear that the address is Broadlands Walk.

"Obviously it's very embarrassing and I've apologised to Miss Pugh.

"To try and negate the possibility of it happening again, we've got a computerised system that has been utilised to brief officers about the issue.

"We have also logged the address so that, should any other incidents occur around the area, officers are made aware of this issue.

"Additionally, we have informed other emergency services to try and avoid any further confusion."

About the flowers, Miss Pugh said: "I was really surprised. It was really very nice of them, they didn't have to do that."