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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Police interviewing me as a witness

141 replies

JustPoppingToWaitrose · 18/05/2021 09:19

AIBU for being really nervous?

I reported a crime online to my local police force. It wasn’t a serious crime, I doubt it would even attract a custodial sentence, but I felt that I needed to report it.

This morning, a police officer from a different force contacted me to ask for me to give a statement. He is travelling from another part of the country and told me that he needs approximately 3 hours with me to take the statement. Three hours!

Is it possible that my small crime is related to a much bigger one? I just think that’s a long time. Is this standard? Especially given he is coming from across the country to see me.

I am really nervous. I keep worrying that I have done something wrong. Although I know I haven’t, I am just anxious. Can anyone reassure me please?

Also, will he be allowed to drink tea, eat biscuits, etc? Should I offer him lunch? I have literally never even met a police officer.

Thanks.

OP posts:
ReginaTheEvilQueen · 18/05/2021 10:46

@JustPoppingToWaitrose if your allowed someone there for moral support & steve arnott does turn up give me a yell, im in kent but happy to travel 😂

Original poster
JustPoppingToWaitrose · 18/05/2021 10:48

@ReginaTheEvilQueen Grin !

OP posts:
TulipsTwoLips · 18/05/2021 10:49

Don't forget they will have met so many people that little will surprise or offend them! I had to give a statement once and the policeman was very nice and reassuring.

CooperLooper · 18/05/2021 10:49

I flagged up a counterfeit £20 to my manager when I had a bar job at university once. That ended up in a 2hr police statement interview at the station because the guy in question was part of a big counterfeit money scheme and they were trying to get enough evidence to prosecute him! Very exciting stuff for a 20yr old 😂 so yes sounds like it might be a small part in a bigger picture.

Keep us posted!

FatCatThinCat · 18/05/2021 10:51

I was a witness to a robbery in a bank and the only person able to give a description of the theif. The interview took around 45 minutes and was very detailed but very relaxed. You'll be fine OP.

Original poster
JustPoppingToWaitrose · 18/05/2021 10:51

@CooperLooper I will definitely report back.

OP posts:
ThursdayWeld · 18/05/2021 10:54

@FatCatThinCat

I was a witness to a robbery in a bank and the only person able to give a description of the theif. The interview took around 45 minutes and was very detailed but very relaxed. You'll be fine OP.
I was a witness to a robbery in a bank

Tell us more @FatCatThinCat! I didn't think robberies in banks were an actual thing any more!

Seeline · 18/05/2021 11:00

I didn't know banks were a thing anymore!!

UnluckyMe · 18/05/2021 11:01

Don't worry about the email, something similar experienced a few years ago ans the email was signed off by the officers name too. To make sure it was legit, I called up the station and asked to speak to him by name when he would contact me via email. If in doubt do the same

NoProblem123 · 18/05/2021 11:07

Don’t be on your own with Bob.

Jesusmaryjosephandthecamel · 18/05/2021 11:10

I always use my first name as it helps people relax. What you have witnessed could be part of a bigger picture, hence them travelling to meet you.
Don’t be nervous. They will be used to taking accounts from people. Three hours is to allow them to drill down into fine grain detail what you’ve seen. They will get you go through it in your own words, then probe for more details then write the statement from these notes. You will then be asked to read, make any alterations and sign it.
It’s really important that you speak as you would to anyone and don’t try to use “police” talk. They also should write it up in the words that you use. They shouldn’t paraphrase what you’ve said to make it more “police like”. Tea/water and biscuits are always welcome. Don’t offer doughnuts, they are far too messy. The offer of the loo is always welcome too, especially if you’ve travelled to see a witness.
If you offer a brew and they say, no thanks I’ve just had one, that’s code for your house is a shit hole😛

Original poster
JustPoppingToWaitrose · 18/05/2021 11:12

If you offer a brew and they say, no thanks I’ve just had one, that’s code for your house is a shit hole.

@Jesusmaryjosephandthecamel this made me laugh so much Grin.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 18/05/2021 11:17

Op, having several family members and friends who are police, I can assure you they are just normal people. There is nothing to be nervous about.

CanIGoHomeNowPlease · 18/05/2021 11:19

I’ve no idea - they just took my statement and that was the last I ever heard about it.

I remember the men that crashed into the girl were very aggressive as I’d scuppered their plan as I saw that they caused the accident and not the other way around. Poor girl was so frightened. English wasn’t her first language so I was on the the phone to the police and stayed with her for ages when they turned up.

FatCatThinCat · 18/05/2021 11:20

Tell us more @FatCatThinCat! I didn't think robberies in banks were an actual thing any more!

It was a robbery in a bank rather than a bank robbery. I was stood behind the victim as the queue snaked across the entrance (very small bank). The victim had a bag with the daily takings from his business. Suddenly the entrance door burst open, a bloke reached in, grabbed the takings bag, and then diappeared. It took a couple of seconds if that. Everyone else had their back to him, apart from me, who was directly facing him. The police said that my description meant they knew exactly who it was and he'd confess once they presented him with a witness statement. I never heard back so assume that's what happened.

Chocoqueen · 18/05/2021 11:21

@Dreamprincess

My son, when he was 13, was set upon and robbed of some money. When the police officer took his statement it turned out that he was one of several victims, some of whom were too frightened of repercussions to be witnesses.

When the matter went to Court my son was one of four who were prepared to face the perpertrators. The lads were found guilty and duly sentenced.

He actually was not frightened of seeing the lads, as he was so angry at what had happened to him. However, afterwards he was rewarded with a great sense of relief that other children would not be attacked by them, at least for the time being.

Good on your son! It's brave at any age but to be prepared to do it at 13 is impressive.
NotSoLongGoodbye · 18/05/2021 11:22

I reported something via work OP. I was surprised they sent a police officer out to see me given I had already supplied details but so much of this is protocol. Don't worry.

BentBastard · 18/05/2021 11:22

I have a statement as a witness (to a hit and run - not a person).

An office turned up at my house on a Sunday lunch time with no warning and took my statement at my house.

Was a bit irritating as delayed our roast. He was with us for about an hour and then all done. It never wen to court.

MaliceOrgan · 18/05/2021 11:24

Showing my age here but I hope it's Bob Cryer

DogInATent · 18/05/2021 11:27

I did an identity line-up once, that was an interesting afternoon. And a lot less slick/professional than the TV makes it look. That slight worry of, "What if they pick me instead of them?"

(actually, that did happen - not me, but one of the other stand-ins was picked by one of the witnesses... popped the tension like a pin in a balloon, and I think the entire line-up breaking down and laughing might have been a giveaway to the witness)

Melitza · 18/05/2021 11:37

[quote JustPoppingToWaitrose]@Divebar2021 He has a proper police email address with a number, but signs his emails ‘Bob’.[/quote]
That’s because he’s a Bobby! Grin

Named after Robert Peel, hence also called Peelers.

AlCalavicci · 18/05/2021 11:39

I've had to give statements twice to the police one was acar crash and like pp said they going to a lot of detail regarding the weather conditions any distractions any roadworks nearby etc
The other one was for a pub I worked in got robbed, the robbery was scary and the time I couldn't remember much but with the right very gentle questioning I was amazed at how much more information I could remember.
Both occasions ever done at home and both occasions the police were very relaxed and informal but professional coffee and Ginger nuts were offered on both times and gratefully accepted.
Try to relax and think carefully about your answers before giving them but don't over analyse anything you're going to say , be honest if you can't remember say , don't try and fabricate something just to have something to say.

Let us know how the interview went but obviously don't post any detailsSmile

TokyoSushi · 18/05/2021 11:45

I think it sounds quite exciting! need to get out more

crowsfeet57 · 18/05/2021 11:47

When my car was stolen off the drive, we never saw a police officer at all. A few years later, our fence was kicked down, I reported it so they had a log of ASB incidents in the area and we had three different officers turn up to interview us about it.

castemary · 18/05/2021 11:50

I read on a policeman blog that they love going to South Asian households as they always get offered a delicious lunch.
There are no expectations, I am sure they are used to going into houses where no one would ever give them a cup of tea. But it is nice to be nice.