I am somewhat bewildered by the response of the seven people polled in Saturday's paper when they were asked whether or not police should chase motorists at high speeds. One sat on the fence, one expressed pie in the sky with his helicopter suggestion and five were for allowing dangerous
criminals to escape justice.
When a motorist exceeds the legal speed limit, said motorist has committed a crime. If a motorist does not pull to the side of the road when followed by a vehicle displaying flashing blue, red and white lights and/or sounding a siren, said motorist is breaking the law and is, therefore, committing a crime.
Recently, following an armed robbery of a local dairy, a gunshot was fired. Using the same logic as the five pollsters who answered yes, the police should not have pursued the robber in case someone got hurt.
The police have a job to do and that is to uphold the law. If that includes high speed motor chases to apprehend criminals, then it should be done. I think the police are able to assess a situation, make an informed decision and act accordingly, be it to continue or back off. Their job is hard enough as it is, don't make it any harder by condoning the activities of criminals.
Alex Bracey, Hastings
