Cops...

[Spoked Wheels]

My Monday rant

My daughter got her phone stolen last night at a restaurant in London - Fulham. Through another friend 's iphone she managed to check the location of the phone on the map (clever unti-theft app) and the phone was 5 min away. My daughter and her two friends walked to the area while they were on the phone to the Police. 45 minutes later the Police arrived and after answering so many questions they saw before their eyes the phone moved away from the area. The Police determined there was a block of flats were the map was showing the phone to be and they couldn't go knocking on every door, etc. fair enough, I can understand that. So they made a note of the location and said they would visit the place and see if there was anything they could do. My daughter and friends took a taxi to the location, no flats there so that was a lie, probably a prepared response in cases like this. There were two guys where the map reported the phone to be but the girls were scared to ask... quite understandable, only the police could ask, search, whatever.

I don't think I have ever had a positive result in dealing with the Police. 20 years ago some kids broke into my shed. I run out but couldn't catch any... the first question from the cop was "Did you hit any?" Noo, I said... there were too quick for me. "Good" he said, or I'd have to arrest you now but if anybody reports you then I'll come back to arrest you. I thought I was the victim up to that point

Another time I had the stereo taken from my car.... you can guess the result. I guess something like that is hard for the Police to do much about though.

 

[I like Skol]

..... (clever unti-theft app)

Not very clever anti-theft device, the phone got stolen anyway. Perhaps your daughter should be a bit more careful with her high value, highly portable, consumer electronics devices? Just sayin....

 

[Roadrider48]

The coppers don't give a monkeys about this type of thing. She may aswell forget it and buy another.

 

[Leodis]

Too busy been social workers these days to worry about crime detection, Colombo would be turning in his grave right now.

 

[asterix]

My Monday rant

I don't think I have ever had a positive result in dealing with the Police. .

Shouldn't you change your avatar then?

 

[Spoked Wheels]

The coppers don't give a monkeys about this type of thing. She may aswell forget it and buy another.

It looks that way. I ordered a new one this morning.

I saw a tv program last year about thieves working the underground. So annoying that I almost wish one of them try me when I use the underground.

 

[Sara_H]

Similar thing happened to friends of ours. His son lost his ipod touch, which they traced using the tracer app. Called at the house that it was showing up in who said they'd found it, but believed they were within their rights to keep it. Reported it stolen, told police where it was, police refused to intervene.

Also, nephew had phone taken from him by another youth, witnessed by four or five others, again, police refused to intervene.

 

[screenman]

The trouble is complaining on a cycling forum will get you nowhere, a nice polite letter to a local paper, or a senior officer in the force may.

 

[nickyboy]

Is this "refuse to intervene" a way to keep crime statistics down or would these be logged as a crime in any case?

 

[ayceejay]

Where is Sherlock Holmes when you need him? I think it is something about quotas and going after the easy booking.
Many years a go I fired a young tree surgeon who threw me over his shoulder to show his appreciation, I got a restraining order on him and he went up before the beak. About a week later. the lock up where I kept all my equipment was broken into and only chainsaws were stolen, I gave the police precise details of what was stolen and told them of the incident the week before with the kids name and address. If they ever interviewed him I have no idea but I didn't get my saws back and in spite of inquiries never heard of a charge of any sort, although just like the OP the police made me feel guilty for asking.

 

[ufkacbln]

The Iphone app is cleverer than this.

You can wipe it and / or let them know where they are.

Friend of mine stupidly didn't lock his, but in a similar situation, texted ...

To the thieveing scum standing in ****Street wearing a Black hoodie and looking at my phone ..... F*** You

Then he wiped it as the guy was looking around for the sender.

 

[Roadrider48]

The Iphone app is cleverer than this.

You can wipe it and / or let them know where they are.

Friend of mine stupidly didn't lock his, but in a similar situation, texted ...

To the thieveing scum standing in ****Street wearing a Black hoodie and looking at my phone ..... F*** You

Then he wiped it as the guy was looking around for the sender.

There is an app now aswell that takes the perps picture as soon as they try to use or even explore the stolen phone and it is sent to your PC. As long as the two are linked.
Probably won't make the coppers to do more, but it's a step more forward.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Is this "refuse to intervene" a way to keep crime statistics down or would these be logged as a crime in any case?

it's probably logged as a crime but with a very low priority. Homicide, rapes, etc would be right at the top I guess but I think the police should be there for everyone.

Years ago I used to work with a guy that called the police several times every time the couple above his flat had fights. The answer was always the same, nothing we can do unless there is obvious physical evidence. You can guess what happened one night. It's a difficult job being a policeman I guess but common sense doesn't seem to be used much.

 

[Roadrider48]

Similar thing happened to friends of ours. His son lost his ipod touch, which they traced using the tracer app. Called at the house that it was showing up in who said they'd found it, but believed they were within their rights to keep it. Reported it stolen, told police where it was, police refused to intervene.

Also, nephew had phone taken from him by another youth, witnessed by four or five others, again, police refused to intervene.

It's quite an easy one really. If the police would even bother to have a word with these thieving scrotes it could result in items being returned straight away. No paperwork, no fuss. But they are not bothered.

 

[Roadrider48]

it's probably logged as a crime but with a very low priority. Homicide, rapes, etc would be right at the top I guess but I think the police should be there for everyone.

Years ago I used to work with a guy that called the police several times every time the couple above his flat had fights. The answer was always the same, nothing we can do unless there is obvious physical evidence. You can guess what happened one night. It's a difficult job being a policeman I guess but common sense doesn't seem to be used much.

There aren't enough of them walking about anymore. If there was, I'm sure a lot of this petty crime(so to speak) would be nipped in the bud.
There are far more important crimes in the big scheme of things, but you are correct; they should be there for everyone. Money and cuts!