Once again I question why I am paying so much on my council tax for the Sussex Police Authority, whose remit used to be to help people in distress at all times.

On Monday my son's ex-partner, with my 18-month old grand-daughter in her car, stopped outside an office in Peacehaven to post a letter.

Foolishly, she left the engine running as she thought she would only be a few seconds.

Unfortunately, the catch on the driver's door was down and the door slammed shut and left the car locked with the baby strapped in its seat in the car.

This happened not in the middle of the night when all the desk-bound police were tucked-up in bed but at 7.40am.

As a result of her panic-stricken phone call to me, I advised her to phone the police.

After 20 minutes and two calls to 999, there was no response. No response to a baby locked in a car with the engine running!

If the excuse is that the police were delayed by traffic at that time of the morning, my answer would be that it was half-term week and the congestion was low.

Besides, the paramedic service has now dispersed its ambulances to strategic positions during the rush-hour to avoid delays caused by traffic so why can't police do the same?

The problem was eventually solved by a passer-by who took out the rear windscreen and climbed into the car to open the door.

For his help we are extremely grateful.

The advice of the CAD operator for the police on the second call was that perhaps someone should smash a window in the car but imagine the trauma that would have caused the baby!

The mother phoned the police a third time to say the problem had been solved but didn't receive any apologies for the non-appearance of our once-caring officers.

I suggest the Chief Constable should start to give council taxpayers value for money or he may soon be short of funds as more and more residents refuse to pay for an inefficient police authority.

-JC Hobden, Telscombe Cliffs