BY AND large our police officers on the beat do a good job, but the Insider is scratching his head over the judgment of the call handlers who send the officers out and their grasp of that pesky thing called the law.

On Monday one of my photographic colleagues was out in Bridge Street in Witney taking a picture of new Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth (no less), when a member of the public said that he did not want his parked car appearing in any images.

Not something we could really get around and so Outraged of Witney decided to call the police, telling them there was a man acting suspiciously, taking photographs of cars in the street.

Thames Valley Police decided in its wisdom to send out two officers to investigate. That is to investigate something completely legal.

The officers were a bit perplexed when they turned up and found that remarkably my photographer colleague was not mugging grannies and their time had been completely wasted.

The force’s press office was yesterday trying to justify the response (yes, we were surprised the thin blue line could afford two officers) saying that there was a claim of suspicious activity.

But by its own admission the call was about taking photos in the street and so the question has to be asked why a call handler decided to divert two officers away from proper policing?

The Insider wonders mischievously though how many people who reported real crimes to Thames Valley Police on Monday (and had to pay 15p for the privilege) didn’t get the same level of “service”.

Apparently our esteemed judges could be given lessons in pop culture, to make sure they are in touch with life as lived by the average man and woman on the streets of Britain.

But such lessons will be wasted at Oxford Crown Court, where Judge Mary Jane Mowat is already red hot on the hit parade.

Earlier this year she instantly recognised Lee Ryan, from the pop sensations Blue, when he appeared in her courtroom as a juror.

In her defence, she knew the singer through mutual connections with an equestrian centre.

Judge Mowat later admitted the lesser charge of preferring heavy metal.

IT seems Oxford City Council’s dream of turning the A40 Northern Bypass into an urban boulevard as part of the 1,200-home Barton West development may have hit the skids.

The city council wants the speed limit reduced to 40mph, but the county council, which is responsible for roads, wants the limit to stay nearer 70mph.

And a Government planning inspector wants an agreement on any reduction before she starts the inquiry into the Barton West project (in less than a month’s time).

City council executive member for development Colin Cook says the council could live with 50mph.

But could the people who will eventually live in the houses that will front on to the A40 as part of the development?

The prospect of lorries hurtling past the front door at 50mph does not conjure up images of an urban boulevard. Just ask people living in Botley and North Hinksey, alongside the A34.