srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
Most of the police in most of the country are absolutely reliable. Do trust them. From what you say whoever in the police you dealt with might already "know" this person - and not necessarily in an appropriate way. If my suspicions are right that's very very rare. We have incredibly low corruption in public life.
Mrs W once got a stolen bike back after I saw it at a supermarket. I had previously given a terrible description to the police - even down to the wrong colour. But the police cycle person was willing to take the stolen bike back to the station to see if anyone else claimed it. It sounds as if Merseyside police aren't so trusting - but if you write down the serial number and use a UV indelible pen to mark your valuables in some unique way you'll get a much better experience if (heaven help you) you suffer another theft.
Mrs W once got a stolen bike back after I saw it at a supermarket. I had previously given a terrible description to the police - even down to the wrong colour. But the police cycle person was willing to take the stolen bike back to the station to see if anyone else claimed it. It sounds as if Merseyside police aren't so trusting - but if you write down the serial number and use a UV indelible pen to mark your valuables in some unique way you'll get a much better experience if (heaven help you) you suffer another theft.