TAYSIDE POLICE has said it is not responsible for billing an 80-year-old woman for helping her into her flat.

Margaret Andrews, of Moncur Crescent, claimed that she had been sent a bill for £261 by Tayside Police after she locked herself out of her flat and two officers drove to her son’s house to collect a spare set of keys.

Tayside Police were asked about Mrs Andrews’ claims on Friday and yesterday they said Mrs Andrews was mistaken and the bill had not come from them. They said “they would have no reason to” charge Mrs Andrews.

A statement from the force said, “Mrs Andrews locked herself out of her home on March 2, 2009. Her community nurse contacted Dundee City Council to ask for assistance…

“She was correctly informed by Dundee City Council that, as Mrs Andrews lived in a private property, she would have to contact Tayside Police in order to have public works called out to gain entry to her home. Mrs Andrews’ nurse was informed there would be a call-out charge for the public works service.

“Tayside Police were then contacted by Mrs Andrews’ community nurse in order to have public works attend to gain access to the property. Public works attended at her address along with two police officers.

“However, by that time Mrs Andrews’ son had found a spare set of keys to her property.

“As Tayside Police called out public works on (her) behalf we were sent a bill for £36.24 from Dundee City Council to forward to Mrs Andrews. We understand that bill was paid in full in June 2009. Tayside Police have never billed Mrs Andrews nor would we have any reason to.

“We have been in touch with Dundee City Council’s finance department this morning and the bill for £261 that Mrs Andrews has received is for an unrelated service and has nothing to do with Tayside Police.”