I'VE often thought many types of alarms are a complete waste of time.

How often does a burglar alarm go off during the day and no-one does anything but moan?

How often do car alarms set off and no-one bats an eyelid?

Regularly in my experience.

On Tuesday I witnessed the ultimate couldn't care less attitude to the things.

As I sat at my desk I had a whinge about the awful din outside.

On opening the window I spotted the nose of a Post Office van sticking out at Dorning Street with the indicator lights flashing and a recorded voice appealing "Help Help Post Office vehicle under attack. Please call the police."

Did anyone bother? I don't think so. Passers-by were just laughing and even a patrol car which drove by didn't stop.

I went down to see what was happening and two red faced PO workers sat in the van told me it had a fault.

Good job too.