Caught burglars part two

[doinmummy]

We caught burgalrs red handed on camera and have confessions. How long is reasonable before we chase the police regarding what happens next? It has been about a month now. Statements have been given. Should I chase police?
How long do these things take?

[Sneezecakesmama]

I think it is reasonable to call them now after a month. We caught on camera our neighbour ripping our plants out and it was done and dusted within a week. Cautioned btw

[doinmummy]

I think this will be a bit more complicated as there were two of them. One is denying it even though he is on camera in the flat having a good root around!
I really hope they are convicted as they stole a lot of money and one of them is a friend of my other half.

[hellodave]

when the police take a report they should establish a contract (verbal) with you stating how often you require updating. There is a victims code that determines how often "police" should make contact as a minimum.

it gets complicated in respect to where in the process the investigation is ie have they been charged to court, are they on bail etc. ??? based on where you are may determine who contacts you.

what was the last thing that happened?

[doinmummy]

We attended an ID parade and positively Id'd the culprits.
I'm a bit cross because the police took money that they found on the burglars in order to fingerprint it but said that the money had been banked before they could take prints.
Other than that we have been told nothing.

[hellodave]

then it sounds like you should be told what is going on...

if you have a crime number call your local police and ask to speak to the officer in charge of the case quoting the crime number. if you dont have the crime number your name/address/date of offence may help...

re the money, if they had "fingerprinted" it, it would probably have been chemically treated and therefore destroyed. if its your money you still stand a chance of getting it back at least!

[doinmummy]

They said that they would take finger prints off the money that they took from the burglars. If they found our prints on it then it would be more evidence that they actually stole the money from us. BUT the Police Officer I spoke to said that the money had been put into a bank account along with other money that has nothing to do with us before they had a chance to take prints from it. So we have no chance of that peice of evidence being used.

I will call the Police tomorrow for an update.

I wonder what happens now.

Does all the evidence go before the CPS?
Will we find out if they are going to plead guilty?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Get a solicitor if you can.

If your police are anything like the police I have had to deal with then the burglars are the least of your worries.

Phone and ask to speak to the officer dealing with it. If you get no answers go to his seargent. Keep escalating it until someone tells you wtf is going on. You should have heard atleast something by now.

CPS will decide whether it will go to court on the basis of the evidence. I really cant see how that would take a month.

[doinmummy]

I have suggested a solicitor but we're worried about the cost.

The burglary took place nearly 3 months ago and I have had to chase the police regarding the identity line up, which we have now done.

I'm really worried that they are going to get away with it, when we know 100% that they did it.
Will there be any chance of getting the money thay stole back ?

I have a feeling it has all been given to drugs type people.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Im not sure about getting the money back as I dont know how much they have proved is yours.

Three months really seems a long time to still not even have a decision, but then if you had to chase them to get the ID line up then it sounds a bit like they arent bothered.

Could you try to get an appointment with a solicitor through CAB? Also a lot of solicitors now do a 30 or 60min free consultation. That might be worth a try. Whatever you do, keep chasing the police and push them on.

Completely unrelated and a different type of case but we were victims of crime in january this year. Culprit is already in prison. We still havent got our property, worth a very substantial amount, back. [anger]

[doinmummy]

They only took cash...lots of it.

The culprits actually went to a third party to ask if they could borrow £xxxx so they could pay it back !!

The third party has given a statement to the police stating how much he was asked for.

Good idea about getting half hour free with a solicitor.

Did your case go to court?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Yeah it went to court and we also brought a civil case against the guy. The fact our property hasnt been returned is entirely the polices fault. They have made so many mistakes and we are now on our third solicitor. The police have lied constantly to us, solicitors and MPs to cover themselves. It has been a living hell.

If the CPS accepts that statement from the lender into evidence then I cant see how you wouldnt get your money back. But like I say, a solicitor could help you figure this all out. And in the long run, if they are found guilty you could take a civil suit against the culprits for compensation to recoup your money that way. Thats why its so important to keep chasing the police!

[ThatVikRinA22]

i feel i may have been able to help answer some of the questions, but to be honest i am so sick of reading anti police crap im just going to hide the thread instead. it gets depressing.

op, if you truly want to know anything phone the OIC and ask your questions. Often just knowing someone did sometthing isnt enough evidentially - the only way to charge someone to court is to have hard evidence....can the 2 be easily identified from the footage? if not - then the footage could be useless unless they were caught that night and their clothing etc seized.

if you actually want to know anything phone the officer dealing with your case, they will explain everything.

im hiding this now. if you want any help you can always pm me, but i would phone the OIC and ask about the specifics of your case.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Anti police crap? I have a good mind to PM vicar the details of my case and see if he/she still calls it anti police crap. But I dont think I could find the strenght to type it all out. Due to the police I am awaiting counselling.

[hellodave]

doinmuumy...just wrote a massive post but deleted it to be more to the point,basically i agree with vicar...speak to the OIC first. A solicitor at this stage is likley to be a massive waste of your time.

these people were obviously arrested / in custody at somepoint as you have started the ID procedure. what were you told when they were originally arrested?

[doinmummy]

Thanks for your replies.
I spoke to the OIC today and they said that the case will be put forward to the CPS today.
The CCTV footage that we got is very very clear , there is no doubt as to who it is.
The burglars were arrested and have been released on bail. Thats all we've been told about them.
Does that mean that they've been charged?

[hellodave]

from what you have described no i dont think so. in some cases for minor offences where someone admits the offence then the police can authorise a charge. in all others its CPS who must as independent lawyers. the police present all the evidence they have and if it is sufficient CPS will either say charge in which case the matter will go to court or say take no further action or request further work.

police bail is to allow the police time to investigate after arrest. we essentially have 24hrs of custody time when someone is arrested. they can be interviewed and if appropriate bailed to come back to allow for further work to be done. when they are bailed the clock stops and starts again when they come back.

a charge is telling the person that the crown believes there is enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and therefore that person must attend court to answer to the court.

[doinmummy]

Thankyou Dave, so if the CPS find that there is not enough evidence then they will go free.

I dont think I could bear that as they are 100% guilty.

[hellodave]

yes, but im just saying that's an option and a part of the process, its a decision CPS make not the police....im not saying thats what will happen.

you or even the police officer KNOWING the truth is never enough. Police have to have the hard evidence. one of those things is your evidence as in your statement saying what you saw and what you know. other evidence will be things such as cctv, other witnesses, property found during searches, identification procedures etc etc

i obviously dont know your case, but you have said there is CCTV etc that should hopefully stand you in good stead.

You should receive regular updates from the OIC until the point of charge. please dont take this the wrong way but sometimes not knowing whats happening with your case is a symptom of not understanding the system. it is a horrendously complicated system so if your worried id suggest arranging to meet with your OIC so they can discuss everything with you and put your mind at rest

[doinmummy]

Thankyou Dave
I know these things take time and the correct procedure has to be followed...just frustrating having to occasionally see the little s**t driving round , not working, spending our money.

We're trying to look at it another way , in that , all the while nothing is happening he is stewing wondering whether he will be stuck with a criminal record or not.