POLICE are helping to unravel a mystery which has plagued a Lancaster nurse. Ian Wood of Ridge Square has been sent a terse letter from the courts and been issued with a warrant for his arrest for crimes he was supposed to have committed in Morecambe. Fortunately, Ian has the perfect alibi - he was at work on both occasions - and although the police have looked into the mix up, he is concerned that other mysterious crimes might be on file.

"I got a letter from the courts asking me to pay a fine for threatening behaviour in Morecambe, which was the first I had heard of it," said Ian.

"On the night I was supposedly being arrested for threatening behaviour I was involved with a search for two missing patients and contacted Lancaster police about eight times from the hospital. It eventually took me three days and a lot of hassle to get it sorted out. Then last week I got a warrant for my arrest for being drunk and disorderly. It's quite upsetting and is very inconvenient. Surely the police and courts should check their facts."

The police have assured Ian that the matter is being looked into but he is concerned that other incorrect data might be on file.

"It's worrying that if a person knows your name and date of birth they can pose as you and get away with it," added Ian.

"As a nurse I'm worried that my name could be blackened. What I really want is written confirmation that I did not commit these crimes and an assurances that they won't appear on record."

Lancashire Constabulary Data Protection Officer, Martin Bailey, said that it appeared someone had been using Mr Wood's details and accepted he had a genuine complaint.

He said: "We are legally bound under the Data Protection Act to hold accurate information on file and we are checking the details thoroughly. If anyone wants to check their information they should make a written request to the Data Protection Officer."

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