I would like the opportunity to respond to the attached article which appeared in The Journal in your Letter to Editor feature which refers to alleged police non attendance to deal with a drunk male on a bus in Midsomer Norton on the 16th of December.

I can confirm on the 16th of December the police did attend this incident with our colleagues from the ambulance service to ensure public safety and to ensure appropriate care was given to the male concerned.  

The reason the call was originally triaged to the ambulance service rather than a police emergency response was due to the information being provided to us that the male in question was in a hospital gown and had only left the hospital in Bath earlier that morning.  

The male was clearly suffering with his mental health and mental health is a medical emergency, rather than a crime.  The male was taken back to the hospital by the ambulance service to receive the care and treatment he needed.  

It is a shame Christmas shopping was disrupted for some passengers but I hope all involved had a good Christmas and Happy New Year.