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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... To think this is a ridiculous use of police time and resourses.

36 replies

Coffeeandcrumpets · 21/03/2019 07:44

I was watching BBC breakfast news this morning. There was an elderly lady on there who, 'wanted to know what it was like to be arrested'. So a police car was sent to her and they pretended to arrest her, with a trip in the police car with lights etc. Does anyone else think that this is a ridiculous use of police time and resourses? Especially when people are getting burgled and nobody is coming out to them for several hours, if not days. I appreciate she was a lovely lady and no doubt had a lovely time, but surely they have more important things to do.

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 21/03/2019 07:47

I agree with you, but I think the police devote a certain amount of resource to PR, which this would fall under.

Spiritinabody · 21/03/2019 07:48

I agree. Absolutely a waste of police time.

SmellsLikeAdultSpirit · 21/03/2019 07:49

More fun than being Susie Greens lapdogs

Hollowvictory · 21/03/2019 07:49

She was like 100 or something and yes police do have resource for community liaison. The number of criminals apprehended would not have been affected by this. Yabu and grumpy and ridiculous.

Ifailed · 21/03/2019 07:51

I'd rather the police were bringing some joy to an 104 year old lady, rather than harassing other women for call a spade a spade.

RJnomore1 · 21/03/2019 07:52

Oh stop being such a misery.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 21/03/2019 07:55

I agree with others, police do community liaison

They go to schools and play schools and charity things as well

I thought it was great

glenthebattleostrich · 21/03/2019 07:55

Police do a nice thing for an old lady instead of harrassing women. I think it's nice. Just like it's nice when community officers could me to school fairs etc.

ABC1234DEF · 21/03/2019 07:58

They have different departments. This would have been the neighborhood policing team taking half an hour of their day to so some positive PR. The response teams would still have been zipping around the county arresting baddies.
When I went out with the neighborhood team (I went with a PC and a PCSO - this is my local force and you can do a "ride along" where you go out on duty with them - highly recommended especially for anyone who criticises the work they do), they did things like welfare checks, followed up antisocial behaviour, dealt with neighbour disputes, took statements etc. They're very well known in their local areas and the PCSOs especially seem to have a great rapport with the locals, particularly the younger-to-mid-teen kids.

MaxNormal · 21/03/2019 07:58

I think it's sweet.
Austerity itself is bad enough without us all having to turn bitter and joyless in response.

Pk37 · 21/03/2019 08:02

Fucking hell, really?
You begrudge an old lady a little bit of fun before she dies?

Jade308 · 21/03/2019 08:05

No more so than calling 101 because someone rang your bell at ten at night and calling to "log" something random as often advised on here.

Original poster
Coffeeandcrumpets · 21/03/2019 08:12

OK, I stand corrected. I didn't think of it like that. Probably Abu. Just, my initial reaction I suppose.

OP posts:
oldmum22 · 21/03/2019 08:13

I thought it was sweet . Probably took an hour , no paperwork .

notacooldad · 21/03/2019 08:15

Fucking hell, really?
You begrudge an old lady a little bit of fun before she dies?

You took the words I was going to use! I totally agree with you pk

Jeez OP lighten up!

Marchinupandownagain · 21/03/2019 08:17

@Ifailed

" rather than harassing other women for call a spade a spade."

Let me translate that dogwhistle: "I'd rather police allowed people to be hateful to groups of people I personally dislike"

You're no different to the EDL, lovey. No. Different.

Hollowvictory · 21/03/2019 08:21

Barack and Michelle Obama danced with an old lady at the white House. No doubt they had 'more important things to do' . But being nice, showing compassion and making other people happy are also important.

NutElla5x · 21/03/2019 08:24

If she'd been wise, all she'd have needed to do was post something that wasn't quite PC enough for the thought police on Twitter and she'd have got a night in the cells thrown in for free too!

Theunreasonableone · 21/03/2019 08:27

Jesus really! This story really made me smile this morning. What a joy sucker you must be.

I'm sure the Police have community officers for this kind of thing. Is it also a waste of time when police officers go in to primary schools and nurseries to speak to the children?

Hollowvictory · 21/03/2019 08:27

^^this is weird. Firstly hating people isn't a crime. You can hate whoever you want, your family members, your neighbours, Simon Cowell, theresa may, brexit, the music of beethoven, beetroot, football, Billy connolly, fish, margate, frozen, Taylor swift, your sister. All legal!

@Ifailed you are right the police want to deal with actual crimes and help old ladies!

SileneOliveira · 21/03/2019 08:34

It was one officer, one PCSO. And yes, great PR.

sagradafamiliar · 21/03/2019 08:35

I love it. Bless her 💓

WeirdCatLady · 21/03/2019 08:36

Years ago when dd was in nursery, they had a ‘People who help us’ Day and I arranged for a local bobby to pop in and say Hello. Probably took all of an hour out of his day but everyone, kids and staff, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dd was embarrassed because he asked which one of them was my daughter and told her it was thanks to me that he had come to visit. He did, however, make the mistake of asking if anyone had questions and had to answer far too many questions about whether he knew PC Plum from Balamory 😂

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/03/2019 08:40

I have no idea why anyone wpould want to complain about this.

Human face of police + one happy 104 year old woman! What's not to like?

Fatasfook · 21/03/2019 08:56

yabu and miserable.
The police are struggling because the government keeps cutting their budget whilst at the same time giving themselves healthy wage rises. You are angry at the wrong thing.