To think this is unbelievably shit from the police?

[TheLostDiadem]

Six weeks ago my elderly mum had her house burgled while she was asleep upstairs. Not a lot of valuable things were taken as she doesn’t really have much but my (deceased) dad’s medals were taken, her laptop, a box of jewellery belonging to my grandma was taken and her cat was found downstairs with a broken rib where we assume he was kicked (but obviously can’t be certain it was the burglar).

She phoned the local police number and was told to report it online. I came round to do it and help her tidy up and make sure she was ok etc. 48hrs later and still heard nothing from the police so I called them to be told they were incredibly busy and responses can take up to a week. Finally, 8 days after being robbed my mum gets an answer phone message from the police saying they’ve received her report and given her a crime reference number so she can claim on insurance. If she has any further queries she can email them and they’ll get back to her. No enquiry, not welfare check, nothing. Just a crime reference number over a week later.

I live with my dc in the same town. In the garden of my house is an outhouse that is currently being renovated so that when my dm becomes less independent she can live there. It’s nearly finished and has been separated off from my house and has a separate entrance and drive. The electricity had finally been connected last week so last night I decided to do a sleep over there with dc, just for something to do. At 12.15 I was woken up by police hammering on the door. They immediately asked me my address and what I was doing there. I said I lived next door, was sleeping over with dc, had something happened, was dm ok as I assumed something bad had happened. They wouldn’t tell me anything just asked for proof of address. I said it was all next door and they demanded I go and get it. I wasn’t happy leaving dc alone with the police so had to wake them up and drag them over and back again while I got my driving license. It was only then that I realised they thought that I was breaking lockdown rules (very touristy area). I gave them driving license and got a lecture on how we weren’t supposed to leave home unless absolutely necessary, fancying a sleep over wasn’t necessary and I wasn’t to do it again. I asked if it was any different to camping in the garden and was that allowed, what possible harm am I doing sleeping in what is basically a garage and was asked “are you sure you want to do this? You have your children with you and I’m sure you don’t want a scene”. I found this genuinely quite frightening as it was two big, male police officers and I was alone with two young dc. They then left after telling me to make sure I stay at home from now on and that they wouldn’t take further action this time.

TLDR - my mum was burgled and police responded a week later with a crime reference number and nothing else

I slept in the converted garage in the garden with 2dc and was woken in the night by 2 police men to be lectured firmly about lockdown rules.

If I’m not being unreasonable do you think a complaint would be warranted? I’m one of those people who have never really had any dealings with the police and sort of assumed they’d be on my side. Really shocked at what I’ve experienced the 2 times I’ve actually dealt with them though.

[katienana]

Your police force needs to get its act together. What a wanker whoever called this in is as well!
Your poor mum, I would totally go to the press with this as you might get the medals back that way x

[JackieWeaver]

They were probably hoping you were a tourist

[FixTheBone]

Disgusted. But not surprised.

Our neighbours fired a gun through our conservatory, they sent a pcso 2 days later. A few months after one was taken out of the house dead, another arrested for firearms offences (letting off a shotgun) in a local pub.

3 years later nobody has ever taken any kind of formal statement from us.

[MadameButterface]

now, see. they were right to investigate, imo, and yes, it is upsetting that they cba to even visit your mum. but they were wrong to start being all heavy with you. and I definitely think they throw their weight around a lot more with people they've judged as being extremely unlikely to start getting lairy and physical. so I'd be using every fucking ounce of that naice middle-classness that said 'easy pickings' to them when they were playing at being the Sweeney to a lone woman with two sleeping babies, and I'd be moaning my naice middle-class arse off to everyone and anyone who'll listen. reclaim the term Karen. yes I do want to speak to a fucking manager actually.

[StanfordPines]

That is shocking. I agree with writing to your MP and perhaps the local paper.

[ginandbearit]

Police are under resourced but Covid has brought out the worst in Plod being Plod...Plod are the local cops who are tasked with all the mundane stuff and are not always the sharpest or most professional officers in the force..they've become lazy and more arrogant and as it's easier to tick a box doing what OP experienced and fiddle figures thats what they'll do .
As for nicking local yoof, plod often know them very well.and have a symbiotic relationship with them , often overly matey and inconsistent..unless they're black of course .
Plod are institutionally lazy and go for the easiest target, ie you .

[AnneElliott]

I'm a great supporter of the police hit that's outrageous. Definitely complain on your mums behalf - that is not how a vulnerable Victim should be treated.

[Camphillgirl]

We arrived home one afternoon to find burglars in our house. Dialled 999. Police arrived mob handed the next day. Said no point in dusting for fingerprints. Left ten minutes later.

[Hm2020]

No wonder your shocked op appalling behaviour all round. Ime this is not normal after a burglary 3 years ago my sisters house was burgled whilst she was across the road in the local pub she came hone at 12 called the police they came by 5 in the morning got detectives out who found blood on the broken door with in 2 weeks the person had been arrested it was taken very seriously and hardly anything was taken a few bits of jewellery! Your poor mum and your dc having to be woken up like that If your up to it I’d tell a local paper as this is disgusting.

[anotherlongwalk]

As a police officer myself stories like these make me embarrassed. I'm sorry that these are you experiences of police contact, neither are good enough. I'd complain.

[ktp100]

I may sound like an arsehole but honestly, I'd be onto those twunts at the Daily Mail with this!!

It's fucking outrageous!!

[3rdNamechange]

Both dreadful.
Do the police wear bodycams ? If so your conversation can be viewed by a superior?

[BonnieDundee]

Some of the behaviour of police officers over the past year has been awful and I'm not surprised you are annoyed. They do definitely go for who they perceive to be an easy target.

I still believe though that the vast majority of them are trying to uphold the law. We just rarely hear about them

[NailsNeedDoing]

Yes complain

[UrAWizHarry]

In my experience this is about par for the course.

Not acceptable of course, but most policepeople these days seem to be useless fuckers.

[PurBal]

@LolaSmiles this

[CurbsideProphet]

How upsetting for your mum (and you) to have such personal and sentimental items stolen while she was in the house and no interest from the police. And the poor cat being hurt like that. Then you feel the full force of the law for camping out in your own garage. This is the type of scenario that really tarnishes public opinion of the police and turns them into their own worst enemy.

I know you haven't asked this, but I think you can apply for replacements of certain medals if they are stolen. The details are on the government website.

Hopefully your local MP will be interested. Perhaps even consider contacting your local council?

[ChameleonClara]

@Sgjudxbyef

That's all police do about burglaries - provide a crime number so you can make an insurance claim.

You could complain about their unprofessional conduct when they threatened you, but unless you filmed it the force will protect the officers and basically call you a liar. That's why they were comfortable behaving like that, because they know they'll get away with it.

Sadly I think this is probably correct

[UhtredRagnarson]

I suspect the eagerness of the police to find lockdown rule breakers is to do with the fines that go with it. They’ll have been encouraged to get that revenue in.

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Dreadful. Abusing powers and not investing proper crime. Enough of covid being an excuse for this shit

[Botanicals]

I have had a very similar experience and have been so disappointed, I complained to the police crime commissioner who has upheld my complaint. I really think you should pursue this.

[TwoIsQuiteEnoughThankYou]

The police can fuck the fuck off. That is a disgrace.

[the80sweregreat]

This is so shit.
Complain and complain again.
I feel for your Mum and you. It is horrible.
Also write to your MP.
Good luck.

[Ihatemyseleffordoingthis]

Sorry YABU
The issues are separate
And you were breaking lockdown rules thoughI don't think they should have spoken to you in that way or frightened you or your children.

[Hollywoodzc]

Do you have a police and crime commissioner in your area? If you do complain to them and the local paper. The police commissioners are up for election this year and will be very eager to help with anything the local media are also involved with.