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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect the police to do something?

20 replies

stephij · 20/01/2011 21:23

My son has been robbed today for the third time this happened on a packed bus enroute to school. what frustrates me is the constant lack of police help, yes 999 was contacted and responded quickly, drove around to see if there was any sign of the boys that stole his ipod (sadly there wasn't) the officer took a statement and said they would be in touch.It is 13 hours later and after 3 phone calls have just found out that noone has been assigned to the case.Now don't get me wrong I know they are busy (just seen a couple buying scratch cards in Waitrose)and I know it is low priority because noone was hurt(this time)but these boys were in their school uniform,it happend on a rush hour bus that has cctv which for a change was actually working and they got off close to 2 schools.
would it really be so hard to:
1: Get the cctv images from the bus
2: identify the boys
3: take to said schools and ask around
Yes am angry it may be a constant promblem that the police see every day but having spent a year saving to buy said ipod feel I have the right to be

OP posts:

scurryfunge · 20/01/2011 21:32

The police have attended the scene and responded quickly. They have driven round to try to locate the offender and they have gathered further information by taking a statement. CCTV will be seized and based on your son'e description of the uniform and CCTV images, they will be looking at the schools concerned.

I am not surprised you are angry and upset but the police will be doing the necessary investigation to find out who committed this crime.

Original poster

stephij · 20/01/2011 21:38

I see your point but the two previous times i didn't even hear back from so you can understand I don't have high expectations

OP posts:

ajandjjmum · 20/01/2011 21:43

Hope you're right scurry.

When we were burgled (by five men who broke in while I was here with Mum 80 and DD then 12) the Police did very little.

They didn't call the forensic people out because it was dark, then in the morning nothing could be found because it had been frosty overnight - funny really in December.

When we received a bill from a mobile phone company 5 days later, the number they gave me was closed. It was me who was chasing down the shop the contract was taken out in, and begging them not to destroy the CCTV footage the next day.

Someone phoned me to say they'd found my handbag which they'd taken. This person was never even contacted by the police, although I gave them all the details.

Heard nothing for 5 years, and then when our neighbours were burgled, the policeman taking a statement from my son happened to mention that they'd caught the b* and they were in prison.

And when we initially called 999 they went to No. 16 not 60.

All very nice guys, but crime solvers, it's a joke.

Sorry for the hijack op - you have my sympathy.

scurryfunge · 20/01/2011 21:46

That sounds a dreadful experience. Did you complain?

Kentmummy · 20/01/2011 21:50

I would call them for an update if I hadn't heard.
They are ridiculously under staffed and busy so a call to prompt them to update you may be all it takes. No update doesn't mean they haven't done the work.
Also, buying a scratch card doesn't mean they are not working hard... I don't know if you work, but if you do I guarantee you have a break sometimes or 5 minutes downtime.
These guys are at the constant beck and call of a radio .
I understand your frustration but as a victim you won't always know what they are doing behind the scenes.

ajandjjmum · 20/01/2011 21:52

No - I honestly don't think it would have been worth the energy. And the police were individually nice people but there was a general acceptance that it was druggies looking for stuff to sell, and they wouldn't be caught.

My energy was focussed on getting my 12 year old through it in as positive a way as possible - and thank God that worked. She's a stroppy little individual at 17, who's frightened of nothing.

And we're still very proud of my 85 year old Mum who saw one of the b* pushing me and grabbed him and told him to leave me along. Bless her.

We have pretty amazing security at our house now.

bruffin · 20/01/2011 22:04

DS 15 was mugged last april for his phone and the police have been brilliant. They are still investigating and recently arrested 3 boys/men who are on bail.
Things don't happen quickly, it was a few months later they put cctv pictures in the newspaper, one of the identity parades we went to was only a few weeks ago.
We are now waiting to find out if the CPS will take it to court.
I am updated fairly regularly on what they are doing as well.

Original poster

stephij · 20/01/2011 22:05

Guess I will just hope for the best and maybe do a little detective work of my own

OP posts:

Original poster

stephij · 20/01/2011 22:06

Ok that gives me hope

OP posts:

3littlefrogs · 20/01/2011 22:10

I think it is pot luck TBH. My dss have been mugged numerous times. The police response varies. On a couple of occasions they were quite good, on others, completely disinterested.

I am sorry this happened to your son. I am afraid it just isn't worth taking anything of value out and about, especially if you are a teenage boy.

Hatesponge · 20/01/2011 22:13

I think as with any job, an awful lot depends on the individual officer(s).

I was burgled 4 months ago (no-one was here at the time thankfully). An officer came round within an hour or so, SOCO an hour after that, detective from the burglary squad called me several times afterwards following up. It was likely druggies, no chance of getting my stuff back but I felt like the police tried even though there was no evidence to go on - I felt I mattered if that makes sense.

Contrast that with my experiences as a victim of DV in the last 10 years when I was given the impression that I was wasting the officers time, and told they couldn't ask my (then) P to leave - which was wrong - or that he hadn't assaulted me (also wrong), all of which left me v :( and negative re the police generally.

my recent experience was much more positive, and OP I hope that this time you get a better outcome than you have previously.

bucketosoldiers · 20/01/2011 22:29

Your expectations seem a little high in relation to what can actually be done in 13 hours. I work in the criminal justice system and as bruffin has described things do not happen quickly. The steps you've detailed should definitely be followed but for the police to investigate the case properly and ensure the CPS have enough evidence to prosecute they need to follow proper procedure and unfortunately this will take a while. I understand that it is frustrating and you have my sympathies. I hope your DS is ok.

Original poster

stephij · 20/01/2011 22:29

A friends son got mugged for his hat so do think they will take anything if it has value or not

OP posts:

SharonGless · 20/01/2011 22:33

Just to make a couple of points
CCTV operator for the bus companies generally only work office hours so they may not be able to get the images until tomorrow.We have a major problem with our local bus company and trying to get the images.

Same with contacting the school where the offenders go to - they won't be able to do that until tomorrow.

Very often the police are doing the work but don't contact the victim to update them. Our force now have customer service desks attached to each division to make sure that the victim of crime is updated constantly. Frees up the bobbies to get out and do the investigation. Seems to be getting positive feedback so far.

Hope your DS is Ok and that you get some positive action. If not my advice would be to complain OP if you feel you are not getting the service you and your DS deserve.

penguin73 · 20/01/2011 22:34

I'm afraid an item such as an IPOD which will be impossible to recover unless you have some way of identifying it (I'm guessing not) and which can be covered by insurance wont be a priority in an over-stretched and under-budgeted organisation. Not necessarily fair or right but until a magic pot of money is found to address shortfalls I'm afraid it's the luck of the draw as to whether it's a quiet period and someone can be assigned to it straight away.

SharonGless · 20/01/2011 22:34

Also what model is the iphone?If it is iphone4 please contact Apple as they can download an app and activate GPS so may be able to locate it

Original poster

stephij · 20/01/2011 22:50

I had ipod engrved so its very distinctive but still don't expect to get it returned
thanks for all the feedback am starting to feel much more positive that something will be done.

OP posts:

SharonGless · 20/01/2011 23:02

Stephij - DH had ipod stolen out of his car. Was found in a house search two weeks later and returned to him - also engraved.

Original poster

stephij · 20/01/2011 23:11

Fantastic news fingers crossed

OP posts:

bruffin · 21/01/2011 09:23

Actually when I got home last night from a meeting, the police had called again and they wanted more info from DS and they said they are now forwarding file through to the lawyers. This has now been going on for 9 months, it did take 8 months to get them arrested. I suspect DS was not their only victim. We live on the edge of london and there is a lot of imported crime as it is easy to get the train here, mug someone and quickly hop on the train back.

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