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HAVE YOUR SAY

DO YOU TRUST POLICE TO COME TO YOUR RESCUE WHEN YOU DIAL 999?

Would you feel safe if you got a text message when you dialled 999?

Thursday August 28,2008

By Mark Reynolds

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(72)

A COUPLE who dialled 999 to report a burglary at a neighbour’s home were shocked when police replied an hour later by text – asking them to go out and investigate the raid themselves.

Lloyd and Suzanne Bishop called police at 5am after they heard a shed padlock being smashed and spotted a man escaping over a fence.

But instead of officers racing to the scene, police sent the couple a text at 6am asking them to find out what had been stolen.

It read: “Lloyd. Following on from your call earlier on to the police, please can you contact us if you are able to establish what has been stolen and where from?

“At this time we’re struggling to get the police to attend general area due to other calls for service. Many thanks.”

Mrs Bishop, 29, said: “We were disgusted. To text the person who calls and ask them to investigate what had been stolen, broken into and who did it, is incredible. We were under the impression this type of crime came under 999.

“It just gives burglars the idea that they can get away with it because the police aren’t going to send anyone out. What message does that send to my neighbours? Is it just pointless to call police if you see someone breaking into a house?”

* DO you TRUST police to come to your rescue when you dial 999?

* Would you be happy to receive a TEXT from police if you called in an emergency?

*** HAVE YOUR SAY NOW! ***

LFDM

04.09.08, 10:27pm

Good evening Fin

I'm fully aware that we've had this conversation before, but saving for the years where criming/ recording rules have changed, crime has not changed as much as one would think.

I still maintain that although there is an element of irresponsibility on behalf of the media for this 'fear' of crime, that fear is in part justified. I'm fully aware of our figures ytd 08/09- they make unpalatable reading at a time when economic strife is coming down the line.

The media we're foolish to attack Smith on her memo (its called being realistic and actually showed an awareness that has belied her career so far)Crime WILL go up. It ALWAYS does during periods of recession. The main concern now seems to be the lack of deterant for serious violent crime and the ramifications of this as we dip into recession once more.

• Posted by: ruhe03 • Report Comment

LFDM

04.09.08, 10:27pm

• Posted by: ruhe03 • Report Comment

BLIND

02.09.08, 4:41pm

all this complaining about the police, despite crime falling dramatically and consistently for well over a decade.

absolutely clueless.

• Posted by: LeFinDuMonde • Report Comment

RUHE03

02.09.08, 1:23pm

Maggie here.... you have lost me, what are you on about ,' recompense for the miners 'what's that supposed to be about

• Posted by: Maggie • Report Comment

RUHE: QUITE DESPAIRING ISNT IT...?

02.09.08, 7:00am

as someone commented on here previously about MENS REA and ACTUS REUS......to prove someone had intent to actually commit the crime...what hope has anyone got if they are presumed gulity and have to prove their innocence rather than the other way round???
Your are right the 'fatcats' of lawyers and solicitors are receiving preposterious amounts the very fundaments of law are overshadowed by greed.....

• Posted by: cocklesandeels • Report Comment

MAGGIE

01.09.08, 10:44pm

Does it surprise you that it is so?

I always liken what is happening to modern policing as recompense for the miners. But that might just be me.

Cheap and ineffective equipment (from Airwave to uniform) being the one-stop-shop for people who cannot solve their own minor problems (step forward parking disputes) inclusion under the health and safety umbrella (dynamic risk assessment to shirk any potential compensation claim) insane levels of over-promotion for people who make all the right noises yet fall far short of the ability to be a police officer, slave to being CPS' lap-dog, ludicrous positive discrimination policies (long before it ever became legal) target fixation (quantity over quality) figure massaging criming standards reflected against pathetic charging standards, schitzophrenic new legislation that cancels itself out (oh why are sexual offences being re-written for the FIFTH time since Labour 'modernised' them in 1999?) bureacracy on levels unprecedented (check out an encounter form) failing IT systems, obsidion internal investigations (oh the stories i could tell) and yes, oh yes, corruption on an extensive scale (get that 'special' handshake ready) the un-workable policing programme of cutting 5% of EVERY force's budget annually between 00-05 (when in reality factoring in inflation this equates to 8% a year- therefore contributing to a 40% reduction in budgets- think of the effect that has now) have destroyed this once fine policing paradigm.

The government agonises over police overtime hitting £250m (not taking into account the £80m spent on housing prisoners in police station/ court cells- who's fault is that?) yet fail to mention the fact that the legal aid bill has jumped from £80m, in 1997 to £1.4bn now.

I have to admit i feel absolutely no animosity to my 'colleagues' (in adverted commers to signify that although not police officers they are indeed members of the judicial system) who oppose me, but you have to wonder why solicitors are rolling around in 08 reg BMW X5s and Range Rovers. Money well spent? Do you know that we're now obliged to pursuade people to take lawyers in interview? Its no longer a matter of rights and entitlements, we have to tell people that they really should employ a solicitor for court!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what NuLiebour brings to justice. Undermining the core of what protects the flock from the wolf for the sake of throwing a few quid in the direction of their (now ex) professions.

Do not for a second get me wrong. EVERY person has a right to a defence in law should they require. But when they know they have no hope, 101% guilty, going no comment in interview only to plead guilty at court (taking several police officers off the street whilst they wait for the plea) is this what we call justice?

Under this government, that is the case. Make your mates rich, fk the victim.

• Posted by: ruhe03 • Report Comment