Volunteers ‘could have told

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 1

Volunteers ‘could have told

Volunteers in the police kiosk in Cathedral Square would have found it difficult to prevent yesterday’s stabbing even had they been on duty, according to the kiosk’s co-ordinator, Mr Sandy Brunt.

Two volunteers staffed the kiosk from 8 a.m. to midnight each day and since it opened in August had done some good work, he said. “Whether they would have been in a position to stop the stabbing is another matter.” ■Mumwamimi i

The volunteers could have been able to tell the police quickly or call an ambulance. “It was inevitable something like this would happen sooner or later,” Mr Brunt said.

Attracting volunteers to work throughout the night could be difficult. “One or two would be prepared to do it now but we need a big pool of people to draw from,” he said.

About 80 volunteers are now on call.

Volunteers dealt with runaways and handled a range of inquiries from the public, he said.

“Some have seen some relatively violent episodes.”