MOBILE phone users in the UK now number over 45 million and companies are having to erect more masts to deal with the ever growing communication trend.

Studies carried out by the Government last year showed that electromagnetic field emissions at over 100 sites across the country were well below the international guideline levels. This would seem to suggest that the masts are not a danger to our health, yet members of the public are not convinced.

During the course of last year a Manchester resident punched a man trying to erect a mast near a primary school, protesters in Northern Ireland caused over £20,000 damage when they cut a mast down and a Bedfordshire man papered his bedroom walls with tin foil to reflect harmful emissions.' People living near to masts report symptoms such as ulcers, nausea, headaches and, in extreme cases, cancer. Essex University is currently carrying out research that will look into how we are affected physiologically and psychologically.

The Times spoke to Chiswick residents shopping on Turnham Green Terrace about their fears of having masts sited at the police station.

Some were unaware of the plans but were not overly concerned. Resident Nigel Jarrah said: "I haven't heard about it. When they put them on places like schools there is a controversy about it but I can't understand why there would be such a fuss about putting it on a police station."

Others felt the public needed more consultation over the issue. Hiam Kite said: "I don't know too much about it so they will need to have a public meeting about it. I use a mobile phone and my children use it but the health risks need more investigation and I am sure they will do that." But she added: "I think it is too close to residential areas."

Edward Brown, the only person interviewed who did not own a mobile, said: "I don't believe in mobile phones. I did hear about the mast. I live behind the police station, so I am definitely against it."

Many were concerned about the health issues of having masts in Chiswick, especially with the possibility of another mast being placed on St Dunston's church steeple on the Chiswick border.

Johanna Openshaw was worried about the effects it may have on younger residents: "Haven't they been linked with cancer? Chiswick has such a high concentration of children and young families I don't think it would be a good idea."

Health issues were also a concern for Lady Couper: "I don't want it. They send out little radio waves that we pick up and they are no doubt bad for our health."

And she added: "It won't look particularly nice either. It will spoil the beautiful sky line."

Government guidelines in the 2003 States Policy and Resources Plan suggest that mobile phone operators should share sites to minimise the visual impact on the area. This will be the case if Vodaphone and Orange put up their masts on Chiswick High Road police station.

Tiffany Stanford agreed with this point and suggested a relocation: "It's going to be an ugly eye sore. Couldn't they put it on a petrol station further away from a residential area?"

One resident questioned the principle's of the police. Mrs B Bishop said : "It is in the middle of a residential area. There is an awful lot of scientific research showing that the electromagnetic waves cause problems for people's health.

"It is not the police's place to make money at the expense of people's health."

Finally, Amy Causer summed up the general feeling of residents and said: "It's not something that I would want anywhere near my house."