I SYMPATHISE with the plight of elderly widow Norma Rose who was terrorised by the strong arm of the law over a Tesco petrol incident (April 14).

As a slightly younger pensioner, I had a not dissimilar experience at a franchised petrol station on Hull Road.

After filling my car's tank I was completely distracted by a visitor to York requesting detailed directions to York Station.

Because his first language was not English this took some considerable time, after which I simply drove my car away from the petrol station.

However, it was about six weeks later that I was telephoned at 10.30pm (which was disturbing being so late in the evening) by a very polite policewoman who had observed the incident on a CCTV camera.

She fully understood the situation and suggested I settle the account as soon as possible, which I did the following day with a very understanding petrol station manager.

For me, the incident went some to restoring my belief in the common sense approach of our police service.

But, then again, the filling station was not owned by Tesco.

M Hatfield,

Heworth Green,

York.

Updated: 09:30 Monday, April 25, 2005