In her letter, 55-year-old Shirley Marshall told the Government minister she was concerned about the poor police resources.

"I just wanted Jack Straw to know what was going on because I do not think they are interested in country people," she said.

"We have many problems here, but the only time Tatton comes on to the scene is election times."

In the letter Mrs Marshall complained that Knutsford Police Station was often closed and residents had to use a phone outside the office to call a central switchboard - in Wilmslow.

"Knutsford has grown a great deal but it is a forgotten town as far as Macclesfield is concerned," she said.

"We get thugs coming in from Northwich and Altrincham on the train, but we do not see any police around the town when they are wanted."

Yesterday (Tuesday) Police Sergeant Kevin Fryer visited the pensioner at her home in Ella Grove after the Knutsford Guardian passed on her letter.

He said the town was policed all day by uniformed officers and the station was open every day from 8am to 4pm.

"If the door is closed residents might think there is nobody in," he said. "But it means the officers are out on patrol."

Sgt Fryer said officers aimed to respond to emergencies in less than 12 minutes.

"If we do not make it in that time we have to detail why," he said.

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