Police interviewing me as a witness

[JustPoppingToWaitrose]

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.

There was a murder in the house opposite where I used to live and I was interviewed by two detectives who came to my house - both very formal in business suits. I wasn't a witness to the actual murder (thank God) but they wanted information about things that I knew/had noticed about the man who lived in the house.

I've done one at my house and it was very nerve wracking beforehand, but the police officer couldn't have been nicer and clearly had lots of practice making people feel at ease.

My baby sister (she’ll be 40 this year) is a cop. 3 hrs is an over estimate in case they need lots of time. She is friendly and kind so would want to put you at your ease. She’d always accept a drink but is on a diet so no biccies! The offer of a bathroom would delight her as she’s had 2 kids and needs to pee pretty often!!

Cops are just normal people - treat them with courtesy (as you would anyone doing a public service, e.g. nurse) and you’ll be fine.

Blimey. It sounds completely different to my experience in another EU country.
I reported a woman (by identifying the car number plate,) who hit a car parking. Then she left not leaving a note.
I took a photo of the cars side by side, & said in the note, they could call me if interested.
I got a convocation to the police station,
Not pleasant at all. I regretted getting involved

Years ago my ex was interviewed at home in connection with a murder - he had known the victim and they wanted background.
They'd travelled from a different force and would have had quite a trek. . I do remember making them tea and sandwiches.

I'm sure they will be grateful to be offered a cuppa/whatever. It's understandable to be nervous, but I'm sure you will be fine.

OP why not just say when you welcome Bob in, "I've never done anything like this before, I'm feeling a bit nervous?" Bring it out in the open and I'm sure he'll reassure you!

You haven't done this before, but Bob has and he'll make sure everything's fine. Good luck.

If you're interviewing you give a worst case scenario so people can plan around it. No point saying it will be ten minutes and then taking three hours.

I once had a police officer come round to my house to ask me questions about an accident I'd reported. My puppy got a bit excited and wee'd on his boots. He pretended not to notice and carried on as if he hadn't got dog wee on his feet. Very professional I thought.

The only time a police officer came into our house was after my car was broken into and a forensics chap came. My cat curled up and went to sleep in his open briefcase.

I reported a drunk driver and was interviewed at my home as a witness. I dreaded it but it wasn't too bad.

Fucker pleased not guilty even though he was twice over the limit.

Was called to court but then the case was dropped on a technicality before the hearing.

We had the police come to our house once - they were knocking on doors to see if anyone had seen anything with regards to a burglary the night before.

My dog was barking like an idiot at this strange man at the door and the officer just said "no danger of anyone sneaking into your house is there?!"

I know this sound ridiculous, but I’m worried it could be the perpetrator pretending to be the police, having commandeered a police email address.

What?!!!

Not sure if that's even possible outside of tv crime dramas, but given you said it was a relatively minor crime what even makes you think that might be likely? Sounds a bit of an over-dramatic stretch of imagination to me.

What was the nature of the crime and is the person known to you?

In my experience of giving statements, it takes bloody ages. They are very very slow. I'm sure for good reason as it's important to get it right.

I had a very ordinary (?!) hit and run about 25 years ago, minimal damage to my car but luckily a witness got the reg plate of the car that hit me. I reported it to the police station for insurance purposes and didn't expect to hear anything back....but a couple of weeks later I was contacted by a chief inspector! The owner of the car that hit me was a police officer and so she was being investigated by the team that polices the police. It went to court but as she kept saying "erm I don't remember being there" she got off.....

Buckles hasn’t got out has he 😧

The owner of the car that hit me was a police officer and so she was being investigated by the team that polices the police.

AC12??

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

"For the DIR @JustPoppingToWaitrose has opened a packet of biscuits"

You'll be fine, OP. You're giving a statement as a witness, not as a suspect, as has been pointed out.

(You should have your burner phone ready with a text saying "immediate exit required" ready to send, just in case though )

Should I offer him lunch? I have literally never even met a police officer.

yes, I'm thinking a nice salmon quiche, side salad and buttered new potatoes will go down well !

Seriously, I wish I could do it for you, life's been very boring here!

It'll be fine!

The owner of the corner shop down the road was shot about 14 years ago. so needless to say, the police closed the street for several days. Most were bored, but it was lovely having a high police presence after a violent crime. We all had to get our fingerprinted for elimination purposes which was exciting.

Mostly the police were happy with tea and biscuits at regular intervals.

I’ve given statements twice, it took ages as they wrote it all long hand as a kind of “my own words” script and I signed the bottom. Really nothing to be worried about but it can take a while.

[quote JustPoppingToWaitrose]@Divebar2021 He has a proper police email address with a number, but signs his emails ‘Bob’.[/quote]
What?

Not Bobby?

@SchadenfreudePersonified If I accidentally call him ‘Bobby’ I’m blaming you 😂.

I've done a couple now, although they deffo weren't that long as I was a fairly minor witness. But I did have to give a witness statement in a very high profile #Metoo case, but again, I was a second hand witness and very minor, but they were making sure they didn't miss a single thing. The bloke still walked away