Police Priorities...

[morpheus2]

Last week at work we was robbed.

I rang the police and was informed that they do not have the manpower, it was not a police priority to come out to investigate a robbery and that we should go round the neighbourhood and ask residents who have cctv if they could help us - basically do their job for them and report back if we found anything.

Rewind several weeks.

A friend of mine was having problems with cats in her garden attacking and tearing up birds who were nesting in the garden. There was a post about the subject on Colne Talk and my mate Mary made a comment saying "I'm okay if cats come in my garden trying to murder my babies, I've got a secret weapon lol" and with that comment she posted a pic of her adorable pooch Elsie the shih-tzu.
Mary loves 'likes' and Elsie produced plenty for her, Mary was in Facebook heaven so she settled down for the night with Harry her partner and a big fat bifta.

An hour later there was a steely knock on the door. My mate Harry got up and opened the door, a billowing cloud of g13 amnesia haze followed him and enveloped the two tall police officers stood waiting.
Fearing that a loved one had been in a fatal accident or involved in a murder Harry, scared to death asked what was happening.
One of the officers rather sheepishly asked "may I speak to Mary *******?" Harry shouted Mary and told her that the police wanted her.
Very very worried and nervous Mary came to the door shitting herself.
The police officers proceeded to chastise Mary over her satirical Dogs vs cats facebook post - somebody had complained that Mary had a 'weapon' and she was going to unleash it on murderous feline imposters in her garden. She was made to take down the offending comment and promise to be more aware of other peoples feelings.

So -

Break in and robbery of essential equipment = 'Meh'

Satirical Facebook post featuring cat vs dog cartoonish rivalry hurting feeling of cat lover = squad car and two police officers and reprimand of poor little Mary.

A good use of tax payers money?

[KateR]

the world has gone bonkers

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Vigilantes are coming. Police yourselves.

[Spiral]

This reads like it was pulled from facebook. Was it, morpheus2?

[bobinho]

Same police response to screwed car, and workplace robbery.

They blame the courts continually let them down over sentencing.... whats really surprising is that they ever do enough work to get things to court in the first place.

I want to help and support the police, really I do... but they don’t half make it hard work.

Lazy two hats.

[Spiral]

Same police response to screwed car, and workplace robbery.

They blame the courts continually let them down over sentencing.... whats really surprising is that they ever do enough work to get things to court in the first place.

I want to help and support the police, really I do... but they don’t half make it hard work.

Lazy two hats.

Not that it makes it right but is it possible that in the case of non-violent crimes they're triaging investigations based on resource intensity (which isn't to call the police lazy) rather than what we might consider the seriousness of the offence?

[bfcjg]

Its not the rank and file officers they are instructed what to do by rapidly promoted bright young things with degrees in criminology, sociology etc.

[boatshed bill]

This happened to me when my van was broken in to. window smashed, equipment stolen. "I should not have left it", "can't you claim on your insurance"
"there's not a lot we can do, but we can send an officer out to give you a 'reassurance visit' "

[bobinho]

How do you explain them being given cctv footage of the lad doing it, along with a name and STILL not doing anything? Not even visiting the well know local scrote to check.

However, post on Facebook that someone’s getting their comeuppance and it’s all hands on deck. No work needed see.... someone has incriminated themselves. Easy....

Take speeding for example.... crime committed, crime detected, criminal caught, criminal punished, nice little tick in a box. Easy...

Remind me why the general public are losing faith in the police and justice system...

[claptrappers_union]

Is just tell them to **** off and close the door

[Grumps]

How do you explain them being given cctv footage of the lad doing it, along with a name and STILL not doing anything? Not even visiting the well know local scrote to check.

However, post on Facebook that someone’s getting their comeuppance and it’s all hands on deck. No work needed see.... someone has incriminated themselves. Easy....

Take speeding for example.... crime committed, crime detected, criminal caught, criminal punished, nice little tick in a box. Easy...

Remind me why the general public are losing faith in the police and justice system...

Speeding is not a crime
Robbery requires violence or threat of violence

[bobinho]

Offence commited, offence detected, offender caught, offender punished, nice little tick in the box. Easy...

[TsarBomba]

Last week at work we was robbed.

I rang the police and was informed that they do not have the manpower, it was not a police priority to come out to investigate a robbery and that we should go round the neighbourhood and ask residents who have cctv if they could help us - basically do their job for them and report back if we found anything.

Rewind several weeks.

A friend of mine was having problems with cats in her garden attacking and tearing up birds who were nesting in the garden. There was a post about the subject on Colne Talk and my mate Mary made a comment saying "I'm okay if cats come in my garden trying to murder my babies, I've got a secret weapon lol" and with that comment she posted a pic of her adorable pooch Elsie the shih-tzu.
Mary loves 'likes' and Elsie produced plenty for her, Mary was in Facebook heaven so she settled down for the night with Harry her partner and a big fat bifta.

An hour later there was a steely knock on the door. My mate Harry got up and opened the door, a billowing cloud of g13 amnesia haze followed him and enveloped the two tall police officers stood waiting.
Fearing that a loved one had been in a fatal accident or involved in a murder Harry, scared to death asked what was happening.
One of the officers rather sheepishly asked "may I speak to Mary *******?" Harry shouted Mary and told her that the police wanted her.
Very very worried and nervous Mary came to the door shitting herself.
The police officers proceeded to chastise Mary over her satirical Dogs vs cats facebook post - somebody had complained that Mary had a 'weapon' and she was going to unleash it on murderous feline imposters in her garden. She was made to take down the offending comment and promise to be more aware of other peoples feelings.

So -

Break in and robbery of essential equipment = 'Meh'

Satirical Facebook post featuring cat vs dog cartoonish rivalry hurting feeling of cat lover = squad car and two police officers and reprimand of poor little Mary.

A good use of tax payers money?

If I was victim to a certain offence, such as robbery, or burglary, then I would hope for an officer to attend to speak to me personally.

For a number of years now in the Met, we have been transferring crimes to a telephone reporting department, instead of sending the call to despatch and for frontline officers to attend. This is obviously because of resourcing constraints.

It has largely worked, and freed us up for the more serious offences. Unfortunately, and it is because of human error, some calls do get diverted to telephone reporting when they shouldn’t.

When I am on duty and on patrol taking calls, I will just ask for the next one on the list to be sent down. The calls are
normally sent down to the car’s in the order they came in. We don’t prioritise ‘hurty words’ on social media as is often perceived. So those two officers that turned up at the door more then likely had no real say in attending. However, here in the Met, we wouldn’t entertain such a call, less send 2 officers.

However, and if what you say is genuine, then I would be disappointed with the response to your burglary. BUT, I find it unbelievable that an operator will ask a member of the public to complete the primary investigation (cctv, witnesses, forensics) at the scene of a burglary, if there are leads to pursue.

[steve1264b]

Ive been done for speeding twice. Never been done by the Police. Mobile speed cameras dont belong to the Police.

[Tall Paul]

Speeding is not a crime

Yes it is.

[BenWickes]

If I was victim to a certain offence, such as robbery, or burglary, then I would hope for an officer to attend to speak to me personally.

For a number of years now in the Met, we have been transferring crimes to a telephone reporting department, instead of sending the call to despatch and for frontline officers to attend. This is obviously because of resourcing constraints.

It has largely worked, and freed us up for the more serious offences. Unfortunately, and it is because of human error, some calls do get diverted to telephone reporting when they shouldn’t.

When I am on duty and on patrol taking calls, I will just ask for the next one on the list to be sent down. The calls are
normally sent down to the car’s in the order they came in. We don’t prioritise ‘hurty words’ on social media as is often perceived. So those two officers that turned up at the door more then likely had no real say in attending. However, here in the Met, we wouldn’t entertain such a call, less send 2 officers.

However, and if what you say is genuine, then I would be disappointed with the response to your burglary. BUT, I find it unbelievable that an operator will ask a member of the public to complete the primary investigation (cctv, witnesses, forensics) at the scene of a burglary, if there are leads to pursue.

Been waiting for this response. Pretty much sums up what I was thinking. There are bad cops, there are; I used to live next door to one and he was corrupt! That said, they can only work with what they have. Most police officers will go beyond the call of duty but their hands are ties by bureaucracy.

[Spiral]

Ive been done for speeding twice. Never been done by the Police. Mobile speed cameras dont belong to the Police.

Only becomes criminal if you refuse to pay the fine and accept points on your licence. You're essentially being offered a deal. No detective work required (or rubber stamping, AFAIK) under these circumstances, so it's an efficient process.

[bobinho]

Ive been done for speeding twice. Never been done by the Police. Mobile speed cameras dont belong to the Police.

So why do they have POLICE plastered all over them?

Surely that in itself is breaking the law, or has it been ‘arranged’ for it not to be so?

[Spiral]

Been waiting for this response. Pretty much sums up what I was thinking. There are bad cops, there are; I used to live next door to one and he was corrupt! That said, they can only work with what they have. Most police officers will go beyond the call of duty but their hands are ties by bureaucracy.

They're under-resourced. Be interesting to head TsarBomba's views on detective numbers. It'd be unreasonable to expect Lancashire county council to effectively operate a space programme with its resources. Same principle here, I imagine.

[TsarBomba]

Only becomes criminal if you refuse to pay the fine and accept points on your licence. You're essentially being offered a deal. No detective work required (or rubber stamping, AFAIK) under these circumstances, so it's an efficient process.

No, it is a criminal offence.

And, the money from speeding tickets, or any other traffic related matter do not go to the police, and the cost of processing the tickets is more than the initial fine itself.

[BenWickes]

They're under-resourced. Be interesting to head TsarBomba's views on detective numbers. It'd be unreasonable to expect Lancashire county council to effectively operate a space programme with its resources. Same principle here, I imagine.

Hence why I said 'they can only work with what they have'....

[Spiral]

No, it is a criminal offence.

And, the money from speeding tickets, or any other traffic related matter do not go to the police, and the cost of processing the tickets is more than the initial fine itself.

Ah, okay. Criminal offence, but no criminal record.

[TsarBomba]

They're under-resourced. Be interesting to head TsarBomba's views on detective numbers. It'd be unreasonable to expect Lancashire county council to effectively operate a space programme with its resources. Same principle here, I imagine.

The Met were 1000 detectives short 3-5 years ago. It used to be that you would be a good street cop with a number of years in the job before you went to CID.

Now, and because we are so short, the Met are recruiting direct entry DC’s straight into the role. Madness.

[martin_p]

Stop voting for a party that underfunds public services if you want decent public services.

[Spiral]

I didn't realise it costs more to process a speeding ticket than the fine itself. Bloody hell, framed like this driving below the speed limit is a patriotic duty!

[Burnley1989]

Had both my cars damaged recently by a local for parking on his road and I’ve a fair idea who it is so will sort it myself.

I don’t blame the police as such, I’ve just accepted that reporting crimes like that are pointless. Had equipment worth £28k stolen once and they didn’t even come out or want me to send photos in case they came across them

[Billy Balfour]

Maybe they were checking to see if Mary really did have a secret weapon. A weapon so secret that nobody knew about it until she mentioned it on Facebook. A weapon so powerful that we could cut the MoD budget in half and still have an adequate defence response.

A couple of years I bragged that I had twenty catapults in the loft and the very same night that Gavin Williamson was banging on my door with a cheque book.

[dougcollins]

No, it is a criminal offence.

And, the money from speeding tickets, or any other traffic related matter do not go to the police, and the cost of processing the tickets is more than the initial fine itself.

I find that hard to believe.

Didn't a single camera on the M5 near Gordano services make literally millions for Avon council? I think they had to make repayments due to the mass of complaints.

[bobinho]

Stop voting for a party that underfunds public services if you want decent public services.

You do realise this has been going on for years don't you?

And surely you also realise why they are underfunded now don’t you?

Please say you do....

[TsarBomba]

I find that hard to believe.

Didn't a single camera on the M5 near Gordano services make literally millions for Avon council? I think they had to make repayments due to the mass of complaints.

I should have included a caveat dependent on how the ticket is issued. It’s certainly more expensive if it’s issued by an officer, who then has to complete the ticket, issue it, complete a statement and send it off to be processed.

[martin_p]

You do realise this has been going on for years don't you?

And surely you also realise why they are underfunded now don’t you?

Please say you do....

Yes, because of the Tory led government’s decision to deal with the financial crisis by slashing public spending rather than trying to promote growth or raise taxes.

[clarethomer]

He doesn't.

You will now get 3 pages of comments about how the tories have underfunded and lied and done this and done that etc. Whilst poor Morpheus2 still is missing his tools.

If Corbyn had got in, this would never of happened. No one would have cared though because they would have only been working 3 hrs a week and enjoying free broadband by now.

[dougcollins]

Yes, we were 'all in it together'. Though the public services ultimately ended up paying for the banking crash.

And still are.

[Devils_Advocate]

You do realise this has been going on for years don't you?

Just because voting for a party that under funds public services has been going on for years, it doesnt mean you should continue to do so

Dont be such a sheep

[Transpennine]

Stop voting for a party that underfunds public services if you want decent public services.
Few words, but perfect summary.

[HunterST_BFC]

More and more Policing is Stat's driven.
Managing the Stat's.

NOT ABLE to actually Police.
Cut's, Cut's and more Cut's. Meeting Targets.
Not sorting issues.

Don't expect it to get any better soon either.

Don't even bother with the "non-emergency number" most don't even get logged.

I can't lay fault at the feet of the Police - The decline in what they can actually achieve has been forced down for years and hand tied by Politicians.

[clarethomer]

More and more Policing is Stat's driven.
Managing the Stat's.

NOT ABLE to actually Police.
Cut's, Cut's and more Cut's. Meeting Targets.
Not sorting issues.

Don't expect it to get any better soon either.

Don't even bother with the "non-emergency number" most don't even get logged.

I can't lay fault at the feet of the Police - The decline in what they can actually achieve has been forced down for years and hand tied by Politicians.

Damn right... Politicians are responsible..

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... dwhitehall

[Spiral]

Ha! You've linked an article from 19 years ago.

[Devils_Advocate]

Damn right... Politicians are responsible..

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... dwhitehall

2001 and do you really want to go down this road?

According to the National Audit Office report on the Financial sustainability of
police forces in England and Wales 2018 between 2010/11 to 2018 overall police funding fell by 19%, taking inflation into account. That compares to a 31% increase in funding between 2000/01 and 2010/11.

[Spiral]

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org. ... 019/police

Three second google search

[clarethomer]

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org. ... 019/police

Three second google search

And your point is? I have said that politicians are responsible for cuts to public service. We went through years of Austerity - those figures are not surprising to me.

My link was to show that this isn't just a Tory issue as some were making out.

Morpheus has had tools nicked from him, which he relies on to make a living. The point he was making as far as I can see was down to how the police responded to his 'real' crime over something that wasn't a crime.

The usual suspects come along making comments about the government which have nothing to do with how Lancashire constabulary have dispatched their officers and prioritised what calls they get.

Isn't about time you took a break from trying to find any post or piece of information you find to turn this into a politics thread?

[martin_p]

And your point is? I have said that politicians are responsible for cuts to public service. We went through years of Austerity - those figures are not surprising to me.

My link was to show that this isn't just a Tory issue as some were making out.

Morpheus has had tools nicked from him, which he relies on to make a living. The point he was making as far as I can see was down to how the police responded to his 'real' crime over something that wasn't a crime.

The usual suspects come along making comments about the government which have nothing to do with how Lancashire constabulary have dispatched their officers and prioritised what calls they get.

Isn't about time you took a break from trying to find any post or piece of information you find to turn this into a politics thread?

Of course government funding has something to do with how police prioritise calls. How much do you think it cost to send a couple of officers to a house for a two minute chat? And how much do you think it would cost to deal with a theft? Underfunded and target driven, of course you’re going to do the cheap stuff first.

[Spiral]

You just spread wide and let them right in without any lube, don't you. You hear about beaten wives convincing themselves that their abusive partner loves them. Clarethomer, this is a matter or arithmetic. There's only one body with the power to fund the police, so you try work it out why folks make this political.

[Jakubclaret]

Ive been done for speeding twice. Never been done by the Police. Mobile speed cameras dont belong to the Police.

That mght be true but there pocket the commission for the referrals for the NSAC.

[clarethomer]

Of course government funding has something to do with how police prioritise calls. How much do you think it cost to send a couple of officers to a house for a two minute chat? And how much do you think it would cost to deal with a theft? Underfunded and target driven, of course you’re going to do the cheap stuff first.

Have I disagreed with the fact that funding wasn't the reason why this has happened?

You are so blinkered by your political views that you are saying this is a tory problem when I have simply pointed out that it was also a Labour problem.

I'm not arguing that the police is underfunded. I was simply pointing out that no party has a good record with public services.

I know that you will not allow this to go - but please don't expect another response.

It just makes this board a horrible place at times when you and your comrades are just on here to push your ideology on the world.

[clarethomer]

Clarethomer, this is a matter or arithmetic. There's only one body with the power to fund the police, so you try work it out why folks make this political.

I agree and governments of red and blue have been a bit bad with the old abacus and that was purely my point.

[morpheus2]

This reads like it was pulled from facebook. Was it, morpheus2?

No, this time it's for real dude...

[boatshed bill]

That mght be true but there pocket the commission for the referrals for the NSAC.

I've been done twice by motorcycle cops who know exactly where to catch motorists (entering a 30 from a 40 limit), they get you as you are adjusting down, if you are lucky enough to see the signs.
This is definitely a police decision. Is it a crime? More like a misdemeanour, IMO. But it's £80 and 3 points however you want to look at it.

[clarethomer]

I hope you have remembered your latex allergy Morpheus?

[martin_p]

I agree and governments of red and blue have been a bit bad with the old abacus and that was purely my point.

But the article from 19 years ago you linked said Labour increased police spending. Since 2010 it’s been cut.