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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Police incident advice

55 replies

JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 19:29

I was on a mini break in early August and to cut a very long story short I was witness to quite a violent attack. A report was filed to the police and I gave descriptions of the attackers.

Not heard anything since night, so put the incident to the back of my mind. But tonight I had a phone call from their local police dept, asking to go back to help identify the suspects (a police line up sort of thing)

Anyway they want me to go to local police station, which is a good 3/4 hour drive from my house. My AIBU is to feel that the police/authority should cover travel expenses? I need to take a day off work and pay for petrol etc.

Wondered if anyone else had been in a similar situation? AIBU for wanting to ask the police who covers expenses? Or would this not even be an option?

Thanks all.

Just to clarify the incident did not involve me - I was merely a witness who spoke to police at the crime scene.

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Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:11

@frumpety @Talia99 I agree - it does seem like something that could be done at a station closer to home. Seems a bit silly to travel all the way back to the holiday place to look at a laptop! I'm hoping they can move it to a local station.

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frumpety · 27/09/2020 20:11

Talia99 is right, the ID suite was in a nearby city, so half an hour away, we got given our travel expenses in cash before leaving, I was quite suprised as wasn't expecting it.

Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:11

@Frappuccinofan yeah, I gave them my details at the time; they know where I live so should be aware of how far away it is!

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Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:13

@frumpety I will ask about this and see if it can held closer by Smile

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KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 27/09/2020 20:16

OP they will be able to liaise with local force and arrange for it to be done there, it won't be an in-person line up especially at the moment. If you incur expenses they will be covered on the day. I've been a witness (professional capacity) a countless number of times and frequently for forces in different parts of the country she to the online battle of some of the material I have borne witness to.

HarryElephante · 27/09/2020 20:16

Paycheck? Police Dept?

Do you take out the trash or rubbish?

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 27/09/2020 20:17

If they choose not to do the above it'll be because they have during enough evidence without your ID of the suspect (eg 20 other people giving similar statements have already ID'd him) and your statement alone will be deemed sufficient as corroborating evidence.

MintyMabel · 27/09/2020 20:22

When I was in a similar situation, they liaised with the local station and I went there to do what was needed. An identification doesn’t need to be in person.

Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:23

@HarryElephante don't understand why you have commented on this thread just to be rude Confused a lot of people say "paycheck" and the police work in departments. I don't know what your problem is but please take your rudeness somewhere else.

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Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:25

@KarlKennedysDurianFruit @MintyMabel thank you for your comments. If everything is done online/virtually I'm hoping it can be held at a station local to me, or at least in a nearby city.

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frumpety · 27/09/2020 20:28

@JalapenoDave I have to say the staff at the ID suite were great, really professional but also brilliant with my child who was the witness, they really put her at ease.

Mellonsprite · 27/09/2020 20:28

I’ve took part in an ID parade and it was on video recorded previously, but the defendant’s solicitor was there in the room with me (presumably to make sure there was no funny business). Also had to make and sign a witness statement at the same time about identifying the person.

movingonup20 · 27/09/2020 20:29

At that distance I would be asking for mileage, overnight accommodation and meals. I don't drive that far in a day then go back ever

Curioushorse · 27/09/2020 20:30

Hullo! I was a witness in a horrible crime. I worked with the victim and the police made the decision it was better for their mental health if I did not disappear for the statement. So the police came to me and I did it during my break. When the case went to court work gave me time off. Not my holiday. I’d be surprised if your work didn’t too. Suspect the police would push them for it.

myrtleWilson · 27/09/2020 20:30

Poster comes on for advice, gets language picked apart by MN (with no bearing on the advice requested) fabulous! OP - hope you can get to do your civic duty a bit closer to home!

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 27/09/2020 20:31

Call and ask them to confirm - expenses and/or whether it can be done remotely.
If it's a physical line up, you may have to be there - but if you travel all that way, even if they are covering costs, and it's just looking at online images, it would be a real waste of your time.
I understand why they wouldn't necessarily want you to do the identification in a home environment, but it can't be beyond their intelligence and technology to enable you to do this from a station local to you, even if it's a different police force.

BlueberryDream · 27/09/2020 20:40

I also witnessed a crime in an area that wasn't near my house.

I had to go into the ID place of the local police force (where the crime was).

I think they volunteered to pay my travel expenses but I didn't take them up on it as I managed to arrange some work near there anyway!

BlueberryDream · 27/09/2020 20:41

Btw prepare for the fact that it may go to court and you may be needed for evidence and that will be in the area where the crime was too

Mine ended up with 2 trials and I had to be on standby for days to give evidence!

Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:41

@myrtlewilson typical of some people isn't it! I didn't even realise I was using Americanisms 😂

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Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 20:42

Thank you to those of you who have given me good advice or shared your experiences, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to help me out! Flowers

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keeprocking · 27/09/2020 20:42

My daughter did an ID parade 250 miles away by video and that was about 15 years ago.

StarCat2020 · 27/09/2020 21:18

I hope you get this sorted out but DO NOT feel that you are being cheeky for asking for travel expenses if you have to go 3-4 hours away.

It would be nice if everyone had all the money they needed but they don't

raddledoldmisanthropist · 27/09/2020 21:34

don't understand why you have commented on this thread just to be rude confused a lot of people say "paycheck" and the police work in departments.

I don't think PP was particularly rude. Using two American terms and the American spelling of cheque does seem a little odd for someone British.

Regardless, it shouldn't be hard to arrange for this to be done near you.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 27/09/2020 21:38

Just ask them to come to you. They can’t compel you to go to them.

Original poster
JalapenoDave · 27/09/2020 21:55

@raddledoldmisanthropist it came across as rude to me, but maybe I'm just sensitive 🤷‍♀️ I've probably watched too much American TV...

But yes I'm hoping it can be arranged to be closer to me!

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