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AIBU?

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Original poster

Stolen buggy- tempted to Facebook shame - any advice?

231 replies

JSSB · 25/01/2017 09:50

I really need some advice as at the end of my tether. Apologies in advance for the long post. Last November I had my twin boys buggy stolen from my car when parked outside our house. Reported to Police who did not attend as "petty" crime, but they advised to check selling sites as it may appear on there which I have been doing ever since. Last Friday it popped up on a facebook selling site. I contacted police as advised and was told it was a low priority so they did not know when would attend. I therefore contacted the seller directly and arranged to view straight away. I visited the property, confirmed it was my buggy and called police immediately who said they would attend. Long story short the Police did not attend until next day after me ringing all night and surprise surprise buggy has been sold and they cannot provide details to police of who they brought it from or sold it to as their phone is broken 😒 I have been advised by Police they can take no further action. I have the sellers details and am very tempted to put on all local sites warning people not to buy anything from her. Advice please.

OP posts:
Mehfruittea · 25/01/2017 10:32

Contact your local MP to find out why police are not dealing with so called petty theft of a high value item from a vehicle and handling of stolen goods. A bugaboo with accessories is tipping £1k if not more. Car insurance excess for the theft of possessions can be high. Not OPs fault when she wants the perpetrator caught.

ohtheholidays · 25/01/2017 10:34

Fib,tell her you've spoken to the Police again and a solicitor and you will have it back today or you'll go ahead with the Police and you'll take her to court!

No way is she innocent in this!Can't access FB my arse!!

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 10:35

The buggy cost £1400 which I know sounds ridiculous and even writing it here I feel embarrassed to say we were bought a buggy which cost so much but the birth of our twins was very special for us and the grandparents wanted to do it. Our insurance would not pay out.

OP posts:
User543212345 · 25/01/2017 10:36

The police won't care - particularly, sadly, if you're in London. I had a very similar issue when my bike was stolen and I found it on eBay, on the account of a man who only sold second hand bikes... The police didn't care beyond giving me a crime reference number for my insurance company and my complaint to my MP resulted in the local police sergeant phoning me up and shouting at me and lying to our MP about what had gone on. I was furious but had to let it go.

Sundance01 · 25/01/2017 10:38

You also only have the Police's word on what this person has said and why they are not taking further action.

The Police - how do I say this - lie all the time!

You cannot trust what they have told you. They may not even have spoken to the woman.

I was told by the police that they could take no action against the person who had driven into my car and driven off as the guy who owned the car whose registration I had given said he did not do it so there was no evidence. Despite the fact my insurance company used the same reg number - found the guy - got a full confession and acceptance of full liability. The Police had never even spoken to him.

Megatherium · 25/01/2017 10:38

Why wouldn't insurance pay?

Abraiid2 · 25/01/2017 10:42

Tell her your solicitor will be in touch as you want to take out a civil case against her. Might frighten her into sorting it out.

Tikky · 25/01/2017 10:46

I'd be fuming! How frustrating for you. Sad

LizzieMacQueen · 25/01/2017 10:47

Surely it's irrelevant to the insurance company that the buggy was a gift. It is still your property. Your stolen property.

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 10:47

My car insurance wouldn't pay out as only covered for personal items up to £300 and my excess is £250. My house insurance wouldn't pay as despite having cover for personal items outside the home the buggy would have needed to be listed as a specific item. Even then they said it was unlikely they would have paid out as it was in my car unattended.

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 25/01/2017 10:48

Ah, I see.

Out of interest, what was she trying to sell it for?

bibbitybobbityyhat · 25/01/2017 10:50

I think the police response is disgusting. Have they any idea what a twin buggy like that is worth? The detective work has all been done by you - all they need to do is follow it up and they have another solved crime statistic! I'm really shocked.

plimsolls · 25/01/2017 10:50

You could always post on the selling group that your stolen buggy has recently been passed on via this page and would buyer please get in touch, police are investigating, etc. No suspicion on buyer but due to circumstances of theft, police interested to get info (etc etc). The buyer will probably be a decent person and hopefully get in touch with you. They may have messages etc. Also, it may scare the seller into sorting it out.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 25/01/2017 10:51

Go to the papers op!

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 10:51

£380 - people were actually commenting on the post saying that's really cheap you should as for more and she said she wanted a quick sale. Wonder why???

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityyhat · 25/01/2017 10:51

Tweet the police!

Megatherium · 25/01/2017 10:52

Try contacting the officer in charge at the police station. It seems mad for them not to follow this up when there is such good evidence available.

BillyButtfuck · 25/01/2017 10:52

I have the donkey for my twins and don't know what I would do without it, it's fab! So sorry OP I'd shame her!!!!!

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 10:54

I agree it's crass to shame on Facebook and don't want to do it but have been left feeling totally helpless. I know it's sounds ridiculous but I've hardly slept since it started on Friday and have been in tears about it all.

OP posts:
MarmiteDoesYouGood · 25/01/2017 10:55

I'd "shame" her, I'd "shame" the police force for being so useless, and I'd "shame" the government for cutting so much police funding and crippling them to the point that they are so unwilling to help when an obvious crime has been committed.

I'd be pretty livid, basically.

MarmiteDoesYouGood · 25/01/2017 10:56

Tweet the police force and your local MP (and write to him about it too)

LALALALALAND · 25/01/2017 10:56

You could try Facebook on the same selling site- informing the buyer that it is stolen and that the police are involved?

bonfireheart · 25/01/2017 10:58

OP just wanted to say please consider your own security.

  • stolen from your car so they have your reg number and use it to track you down
  • stolen from ours your house so they may know where you live
  • you've had Facebook correspondence with them so they know who you are
  • you've been to view the buggy so they know what you look like

Time to step away I would say. Shaming them on Facebook or whatever else you're planning when they've already been visited by the police, it's likely to antagonise them further.

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 10:59

I wrote my MP yesterday and also contacted a local councillor who came back to say if I have a complaint with police I need to take it up with them directly.

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 25/01/2017 11:01

I would definitely post on the group. People will remember it, and hopefully the new buyer will come forward... how does it work for them? Presumably they paid in good faith... I guess the hope is they paid by PayPal G&S so can open a case?