Any police/legal bods available for advice?

[Wheeledweenie]

My dad's had to lay off some of his workers and he had his vans and mum's car damaged (scratched up and a paving slab through a window) the day he told them. Even though a neighbour confronted the guy and gave a full description the police said they couldn't help.

Last night someone slashed the tyres on the only working van. Again, the police say they can't help as there's no evidence.

What can we do to help them catch whoever it is? Cheap CCTV? Showing the neighbour pictures of dad's workers? What?

Dad had a massive stroke in January and nearly died, that and the recession have nearly killed his business and we're at our wits' end.

 

[ttcycle]

Hi WW

I'm sorry to read about this. I don't have any solid suggestions but am sorry to hear that the police aren't doing more- surely this is criminal damage. It's frustrating when people get laid off but there's no need to resort to smashing things up.

Hope the situation picks up a bit more for you and the family.

 

[killiekosmos]

Don't go showing pictures of former staff to neighbours, that would not help if the police do take action.

I'd go back to the police and ask why they won't act on this criminal damage when there is a witness, if you keep pushing they may well take action. You may need to ask to speak to a senior officer or threaten to make a complaint.

 

[swee'pea99]

Terrible. As above, get back to the police and demand action. If there were no witnesses, there would be at least some excuse for their inaction, but given that you have one, it's outrageous. No joy? Go straight to your MP. (s)he'll be even more keen to help than usual, following recent ructions and with an election none too far away.

 

[ACS]

It is not up to the police to investigate (ie gather evidence) for these acts of criminal damage (Sect 1(1) Criminal Damage Act 1971) in response to your complaint.

Or do we now investigate our own crimes and once we have done their job for them allow them to prosecute on our behalf.

Contact your local station ask to speak with the duty officer (Inspector or above) and make your complaint known to him. State you are not happy at being fobbed off by Officers who appear to be only interested in crimes that can be cleared up with a positive result that requires them to do no work on the case.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Thanks guys I am spurred to complain. I was shocked when dad told me they wouldn't do anything. Our neighbour actually confronted the guy and spoke to him so it's not even long-distance sighting.

This person obviously knows where thy live and the level of violence is escalating as he must have brought a knife with him to do the tyres. Sigh.

 

[ACS]

If a neighbour saw the act being committed and he is willing to provide the evidence to the police as to what he saw and said then the police have a legal obligation to investigate your allegation of criminal damage.

The fact that the police say there is no evidence is not a valid nor legitimate excuse to avoid meeting their responsibilities to you and the wider community.

 

[ComedyPilot]

+1 for all what the others have said.

 

[lukesdad]

you need to make sure that the police have this recorded as a reported crime otherwise they will do nothing as it will not effect there stats. Have they taken a written statement from the witness not just jotted notes. You need to know these things before contacting mp etc. Did you get names or numbers of the officers all of these things will help you to bring pressure to bare to get them off their A**ses.

 

[Cubist]

As I see it the case goes like this.
1. Damage caused after staff laid off.
2. Neighbour sees and confronts
3. Police ask for description of offender from neighbour witness, compare this with descriptions of staff laid off provided by you
4. Police arrest and interview member of staff fitting description and depending on interview put him/her through id procedure with neighbour witness

If the police are telling you there is no evidence it can be for one of two reasons. Either the neighbour has refused to get involved by providing statement or going through id procedure in which case there's no point pursuing it, or the cop who has told you there is no evidence is crap/idle/a self-gratification artist. If this is the case, go to your local nick and speak with an Inspector

 

[Crankarm]

As I see it the case goes like this.
1. Damage caused after staff laid off.
2. Neighbour sees and confronts
3. Police ask for description of offender from neighbour witness, compare this with descriptions of staff laid off provided by you
4. Police arrest and interview member of staff fitting description and depending on interview put him/her through id procedure with neighbour witness

If the police are telling you there is no evidence it can be for one of two reasons. Either the neighbour has refused to get involved by providing statement or going through id procedure in which case there's no point pursuing it, or the cop who has told you there is no evidence is crap/idle/a self-gratification artist. If this is the case, go to your local nick and speak with an Inspector

Good post.

 

[The Jogger]

Get a crime ref number of the police to ensure it's been logged as a crime. What sort of message are the police giving out here, it's disgusting behaviour from them let alone the vandals.

BTW what a good neighbour!

 

[Vikeonabike]

Just a quick question. Is the witness prepared to give a statement and go to court?

 

[Wheeledweenie]

I think he'd be prepared to give his description etc. The neighbour, after all, was the one who called the police after confronting the guy and showed them where my parents live so they could be told. He's very nice.

 

[User269]

The only time the police can say there is no evidence is after an initial investigation.
Good luck with this, pursue a complaint or a proper investigation. If still no response, consider legal representation and/or contact your MP.