NORTH Yorkshire police are equipped with mobile command platforms, satellite tracking systems, computer databases and portable TV cameras.

All they lack is a crystal ball.

That deficiency was blamed for two officers giving an elderly widow the fright of her life.

When they got her out of bed at 10.45pm, Norma Rose's natural response was that a member of her family had been hurt or killed in an accident.

In fact, her "crime" was to have pressed the wrong button at an automated petrol pump.

Contacted by Tesco, the police's swift and persistent response will surprise many readers. After all, we have carried numerous stories of North Yorkshire residents calling the police to report a crime only to discover there was no one available.

Of course the police have got to respond to the report of a theft. And no, they didn't have a crystal ball to discover more about the alleged perpetrator.

All they had was CCTV footage and access to a computer database which would have revealed the age, gender and blameless character of the person in question. That information should have ruled out a late night visit.

We are surprised the police cannot find something more worthwhile to do at shortly before 11 o'clock in a county troubled by vandals, yobs and rising violence.

Before frightening another pensioner, police should stop talking crystal balls and rely again on old fashioned common sense.

Updated: 10:44 Thursday, April 14, 2005