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Norwich Evening News
Police officers illness linked to mast
August 17, 2004 12:27
A CONTROVERSIAL communications mast on top of a Norfolk police station has been blamed for the ill health of six officers and staff.
Police officers — including a chief inspector — and civilian workers at North Walsham police station believe a range of debilitating health complaints are due to the mast.
Chief Insp Steve Strong and his staff claim their bouts of dizziness and severe headaches are due to a transmitter for a new police radio system sited yards from their desks.
The addition of antennae to an existing mast by telecommunications firm O2 to deliver the Airwave communications system had already sparked a furious debate among families living nearby.
About 25 people living near the mast have also complained of similar health complaints, and claim to have suffered repeated nosebleeds, disturbed sleep and skin problems.
Norfolk police today confirmed they had received complaints from officers and staff. They have been referred to the force medical officer (FMO) and continue to be medically monitored.
Insp Mick Lamb, Airwave business process manager, said a radiological sweep of the station had found even the strongest readings were a thousand times below international guidelines.
Permanent equipment has now been installed to allow constant monitoring.
"These six people have complained about symptoms, but to the best of my knowledge they have never been off sick in relation to this," said Insp Lamb.
"They have been seen by their own GPs and have since been referred to the FMO. If it is deemed necessary they maybe referred to specialists in the field.
"I have spoken to a number of officers at North Walsham and tried, along with others, to do our best to allay fears, but this has not been successful at the moment. All we can do is carry on with the monitoring."
The National Radiological Board reported at the end of last year that there was no evidence to suggest there are any dangers from telecommunications technology, he said.
He added: "That is not to say we aren't taking it seriously, we do. Anything that impacts on the health and welfare of our staff is something that we take very seriously."
The officers and staff who have complained of ill health have reportedly been urged not to talk publicly.
Chris Warren, of the Norfolk Police Federation, said: "The federation would not want to see any piece of equipment brought in that is demonstrably injurious to our members. But there is no scientific evidence that Tetra is injurious to officers' health."
The Government's £2.9 billion Airwave radio system is being rolled out to all 53 police forces by next spring. The digital handsets boast improvements including better security and coverage, and the ability to receive pictures and data.
The network has required the building of dozens of new masts or extra antennae on existing sites to give complete coverage across Norfolk. The Norfolk police system is due to be fully operational by October.
Officers across Britain have said they believe their health is suffering due to new masts or handsets.
Last month the family of PC Neil Dring, a Leicestershire police motorcyclist who died of cancer of the oesophagus, said he had complained of headaches when he began using his Tetra handset and that he was convinced it was to blame for his condition.
O2 Airwaves said: "All the medical evidence would suggest the symptoms reported are not connected with the use of radio technology."
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