To ask if you’ve ever needed/been involved with the police?

[YouWonJayne]

Having a conversation with my brother after watching the Raoul Moat dramatisation.

I said I think the vast majority people will need the assistance of the police or will have been on the ‘wrong end’ of the police in their lives. I know I have (on the ‘right’ side). He says he doesn’t know many people who’ve ever needed the police or who are criminals. Have you??

YANBU - I have needed the police in some way or have been involved in a crime
YABU - I’ve never needed the police personally

I think it might depend on if your question is
"have ever needed to interact with the police in any capacity"
or
"had to dial 999 for emergency help from the police"

Fortunately, I've not had to do the latter, but I've interacted with various police officers and staff for different reasons over the years, yes.

Never had any interaction with the police apart from pulling in to let them pass when they have their lights and sirens on

I've been involved with the police both at work and in my professional life (after a bump in the car, not as a criminal). I've never phoned 999 for the police but have phoned 101 a few times.

Victim of crime.
Called 999 to report another crime in action
DH has called non emergency line after a theft from outside our property.

Lots of times

When a homeless man tried to hurt my dog

When my ex tried to kill me

When I saw a man attack his son in Lewisham

When I was working at the magistrates court house

Rang them a few times for various things that happened while working in Tottenham

99 per cent of the time they went over and above

I got mugged/attacked walking home late at night in 2007 so had to call the police then and liaise with them afterwards. That's the only time I've ever dealt with them though and I'm 33 now.

Once. About 7 years ago my husband’s bike was stolen from our garden shed. The police came out, viewed our cctv etc and sent a forensic scientist for fingerprints. The bike was never found but I was grateful to them at the time for how they’d handled it. This was The Met.

I’ve had to call the police for a crime that occurred outside my house (Wiltshire) and i have to say they were excellent. My sister called the police following a break in (Leeds) and they went over and above in the service they gave. Truly impressed on both occasions.

Through work I deal with police a lot, safeguarding vulnerable girls at risk.
Ive had 2 dealings with the police personally. Once following a friend being attacked on a night out and once when I sadly found my grandma dead in her home, it was unexpected but she was 90 so it wasn't really an investigation, just a few questions and concluded no further investigation needed.

Many years ago we reported a non-emergency (car wing mirror kicked off) which led to the local police using our flat for observation of a gent who lived opposite! (They sent a very nice basket of fruit to say thank you).

Burglary x 2
car broken into
had to report someone for stalking and online harassment

Heavily involved with the police in my work life, have worked alongside them and made numerous statements. Have also been assaulted at work and had police involved.

In personal life I've:

Witnessed a fatal RTC car vs motorcycle where the people on the car ran off. Subsequently was asked to attend an identity parade (well, not a parade, it was on a computer) as I got a good look at them. The driver was caught and plead guilty.

Been assaulted by an angry lady in a bowling alley.

Had my handbag stolen in a shop from under my friend's buggy

Had my number plates stolen from my brand new car.

Was pulled over twice following number plate theft, sadly it was me not the thief, but pleased they were trying. Was 2 separate forces too, Met and Surrey.

Had police knock on the door at my patents house following a high profile murder. We lived in the area and they were going door to door. I was about 19 and home from uni for the weekend.

Surely the majority have had some involvement with the police?
I've had a fair bit, both as suspect and victim.
Does it maybe depend on your socio-economic group/ class/ other factor?

I witnessed a fatal accident in January, so called the police and had to give statements on the evening and days later.

Yes, witnessed something, called police, later gave evidence, went to court three times, accused both got six months inside

Would I do it again, no

I’ve had to call the police several times:

1. neighbour was racially abusing my DH
2. I was the victim of an armed robbery by two men with guns
3. Nan was burgled

I was once stopped by the police for speeding (not by a crazy amount) but they didn’t give me a ticket just a stern talking to.

Yes several times. When a lorry bumped our car and drove off, when we thought there was someone inside the empty neighbouring property (there was but turned out to be the previous owners teenager and friends). When my DS’s phone had called 999 after cracking the screen and they came to do a welfare check. When my DD was hit on the road by scooter driven by teens that didn’t stop.

I was happy with the outcome and how they dealt with all of the scenarios except the scooter one, they just didn’t seem interested. Didn’t come out or follow up.

Reported neighbour who continually drives while smoking weed - not for this but he also had no tax and MOT and is an all round wanker.
I wasn't the first or only person to report to Police.
They couldn't have been less helpful and tried to claim they couldn't deal with the offences unless they caught him driving. I offered to give a witness statement of the numerous times I'd seen him and even hand over camera phone evidence, but they weren't interested. DVLA weren't interested either.

We have had a spate of illegal street racing locally - a small stretch of dual carriageway is attracting reguler street races advertised on social media, with loads of illegally modified vehicles racing and driving reckless and spectators. There is one house locally - the resident asked the racers to go away as she has small kids and they can't sleep. They threatened her. She's made over 20 Police reports, loads of us have reported. The Police show zero interest and the races keep happening.

Frequent interaction personally and professionally.

I interacted with the police officer who came to help when my car broke down in the middle of a busy intersection.

I have reported a crime, basically filled out some paperwork for the purposes of filing an insurance claim, and been interviewed on the phone by a police officer about a crime that was reported on my behalf.

I do have a family member who has been arrested a couple of times, but always for over-fishing. he seems happy paying his fines.

have had to give a witness statement
also had police come round to ask me if a stolen item they'd got was mine (it was)

As a victim of mugging in my teens, attempted/burglary x2 as an adult, and whilst exiting an abusive relationship. All via non-emergency process (101, attending the station etc) although apparently one of the burglary situations should have been a 999 call.

I'm in my mid thirties and live in an area of London with a high crime rate - already referenced on this thread actually.

My experiences were largely positive fwiw except for the mugging, when they spent a lot of time making sure i wasn't lying 🙄

I've contacted the police as a victim and received no support or investigation. I called 999 once as a taxi driver was being assaulted in front of me, they attended after the taxi driver had managed to get away. Neighbourhood police turned up at my house in a blatant police car as my neighbour claimed I'd stolen her parcel.

I have to say... Unless I have to, I won't bother reporting a crime again.

I've contacted the police as a victim and received no support

Same here. Police couldn’t even be bothered to update me regarding the armed robbery and whether they were ever caught or not. I have no idea to this day. No one asked me if I was ok and I had no follow up support whatsoever (this was after being held at gunpoint).

Forgot when I was being stalked by an extended family members ex. I provided proof etc, a "voluntary interview" was held and I was told she wasn't stalking me as she said she wasn't stalking me.