On Saturday the 16th December my wife and I caught the 172 Bus for Wells at 11:16am from the Westfield Chapel stop; we were intending to visit Wells Christmas Market.  On arrival in Midsomer Norton the bus was stopped as the driver was advised that a drunken man was lying on the floor upstairs and refusing to move.

The driver went upstairs and several times asked the man to take his seat or get off the bus but he refused.  Consequently, for safety reasons, the driver advised that the bus could not proceed until the issue was resolved and she got off the bus to call the police. 

At the same time the driver advised us that it could be some time before the bus could continue its journey and she could not give us any indication as to when we would be leaving that stop.

Clearly for the safety of the bus and the drivers own personal position (it could have led to potential legal issues if she, even with help from the passengers, had physically moved the drunken passenger) her action was right and proper.  Also, clearly, this would be a matter for the police who would be aware of what action for removal was legal and who would have any necessary authority.  Imagine the drivers shock and our dismay when the police refused to attend and told the driver to call for an ambulance.  Since when is it the job of paramedics to replace the police when someone is committing a public disorder?  Also, as you can imagine, ambulance crews could not prioritise the removal of a drunk who was responsive and simply saying he wanted to sleep on the floor.

We gave up going to Wells and spent the morning in Midsomer Norton.  The bus was still at the stop, with its hazard warning lights flashing and the driver waiting for assistance, at least 45 minutes later.

A number of people had their day ruined by a thoughtless drunk but what made it worse was the attitude of the police.  There is a station full of “the men in blue” on the Wells Road in Radstock and I’m sure a PCSO or two could have been spared to travel 10 minutes into Midsomer Norton and resolve the issue.  

At the risk of sounding obvious - just what are our police for if not to sort out public disorder?  

It is certainly not the job of “the men in green” from RUH with an expensive life saving ambulance.

Yours sincerely, 

Mike Davies