Postmen in South London are refusing to deliver to some South London flats unless they are accompanied by an elderly Liberal Democrat Councillor. The Royal Mail did not deliver to the Rowland Hill estate unless 69-year-old Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall comes offers them protection against a problem tenant.
The problems on the estate started when Rachel O’Connor a 34-year-old resident was accused of assaulting one of the postmen. For six months postal services were suspended, and with deliveries instead being left as the local sorting office, a bus ride away.
Three months ago Cllr Linforth-Hall and a team of other ladies stepped in to personally provide the security team the postmen needed. The team of ladies normally handle things on their own but sometimes the Councillor’s husband Tony comes for backup.
She waits for the delivery three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Southwark Council has complained to regulator Ofcom in the hope of forcing Royal Mail to reinstate a proper service. Cllr Linforth-Hall told the Daily Mail: “We are hoping that it will be back to normal, but they are saying that it is unsafe without me or my fellows there to assist.”
In a recent letter to residents, the Royal Mail explained the situation: “In November 2012 a resident sent a series of complaints to the Royal Mail which became increasingly abusive and threatening … in June 2014 the resident assaulted our delivery officer in the lifts. In December the tyres on our vehicle were slashed … whilst this may be coincidental I am sure you will understand our concerns.”
The OAPs are understood to be undeterred by the catalogue of incidents, despite having no prior security or military training. Perhaps the older generation are just a tougher breed.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.