RE: Police Too Busy
Thursday 7th March 2002
Police Too Busy
Law and order is breaking down because the police don't have the resources to attend crimes. Are we experiencing more crime or is the police service just massively inefficient these days...?
Discussion
"Jason Hansford-Adams, 30, phoned police only to be told that Surrey police no longer responded to such incidents."
This is crazy. You can be 100% sure that if *I* smashed someone's car up outside their house the police would come and kick my ass. I'm unlucky like that. (not that I ever would do that, mind!)
As soon as the police make official statements saying they don't care about a particular crime, the little scrotes who do this are gonna have a field day.
Bonce
This is crazy. You can be 100% sure that if *I* smashed someone's car up outside their house the police would come and kick my ass. I'm unlucky like that. (not that I ever would do that, mind!)
As soon as the police make official statements saying they don't care about a particular crime, the little scrotes who do this are gonna have a field day.
Bonce
Seven or eight years ago I came back to my car to find the door half ripped off in an attempt to steal it. I called 999 and was basically told that the 999 number was for emergencies only and that I should go to my local police station to get a crime number for my insurance.
At the police station I was told it was my fault for driving a flash car - what did I expect? I'm still amazed I'm not still in chokey for assaulting a police officer (as in tearing her f*****g head off and shoving it up her a**e)
Of course, there are always enough policemen to nick you for driving at 31mph - then you're a REAL criminal - or is it just that you're easy to catch.
What kind of a bloody country is this these days
At the police station I was told it was my fault for driving a flash car - what did I expect? I'm still amazed I'm not still in chokey for assaulting a police officer (as in tearing her f*****g head off and shoving it up her a**e)
Of course, there are always enough policemen to nick you for driving at 31mph - then you're a REAL criminal - or is it just that you're easy to catch.
What kind of a bloody country is this these days
quote:
Last night a police spokesman said: "The idea is to release officers to concentrate on disrupting persistent offenders."
But if the fellows smashing up cars find out about this, they WILL become persistent offenders. Except the police won't know about them!
What a pile of arse!
Police in Macclesfield were "too busy" to go to a petrol station where the assistant had locked in two robbers that tried to rob the place. After two hours they managed to force their way out. Needless to say they've not been nicked and are probably the same ones who robbed a couple of local post offices.
BTW the police station is about 150 yards from the petrol station.
BTW the police station is about 150 yards from the petrol station.
This does sort of beg the question, what are they busy with?
Extortion? Suspect Harrasment? Filling out speeding fines? Enforcing ridiculous and outdated narcotics laws?
I can only see this as a piece of information to create a scare to justify the fact that all our taxes are to go up to cover the recruitment of double the amount of officers as suggested by Rudy Guilianni?
Bloody government
Matt.
Extortion? Suspect Harrasment? Filling out speeding fines? Enforcing ridiculous and outdated narcotics laws?
I can only see this as a piece of information to create a scare to justify the fact that all our taxes are to go up to cover the recruitment of double the amount of officers as suggested by Rudy Guilianni?
Bloody government
Matt.
I can understand everybodies frustration with the Police. But, and I say this as a serving officer, we need the publics backing and support. I work in the 5th largest city centre in the UK, and we regularly put out just 10 officers. Thats minimum manning (1 x response car, 4 x Pandas. ) You never see any foot men anymore cause there arn't any, simple as that. For the same City centre 6 years ago, when it was less busy,there were 30 officers to a shift.
So, all we need is 5 jobs being dealt with at the same time for there to be no officers to deal with anything else.....to give you some idea we probably deal with 50-75 incidents a day.
What you do get though, are a bunch of people who do the job they do cause the love it, knowing that nobody likes them until they need them for something. They have a boss who bad mouths them and a press that never report the facts as they are. The new recruiting figures are great, but they don't tell you more people are retiring than being recruited. If the public got behind us as they did nurses and teachers, you might see an improvement, until then, the goverment will continue to treat us like a business, which of course we are not. We are a service.
Anyway, I've probably left myself open for masses of backlash here so I'll get ready
>> Edited by relaxitscool on Thursday 7th March 15:41
So, all we need is 5 jobs being dealt with at the same time for there to be no officers to deal with anything else.....to give you some idea we probably deal with 50-75 incidents a day.
What you do get though, are a bunch of people who do the job they do cause the love it, knowing that nobody likes them until they need them for something. They have a boss who bad mouths them and a press that never report the facts as they are. The new recruiting figures are great, but they don't tell you more people are retiring than being recruited. If the public got behind us as they did nurses and teachers, you might see an improvement, until then, the goverment will continue to treat us like a business, which of course we are not. We are a service.
Anyway, I've probably left myself open for masses of backlash here so I'll get ready
>> Edited by relaxitscool on Thursday 7th March 15:41
quote:Got that right - I can't afford to buy a TVR at the moment, so I'm gonna start borrowing them.. like they do with 'public' cycles in Holland & Denmark.. take the car, drive it to where I'm going and leave it - then take another one to get home..
As soon as the police make official statements saying they don't care about a particular crime, the little scrotes who do this are gonna have a field day.
Now, if you want me not to damage your pride & joy, you'd do well to leave it unlocked with the keys in it so I don't have to use Mr Screwdriver..
And in the highly unlikely event that I get caught, I'll be given a free banger with free insurance by some do-gooder in Nottingham..
Actually, Relax, you have my sympathy - I think most here appreciate that the problems are not of the rank & file coppers' making. The frustration you see here is probably reflected more than anything in the comments of Sir John Stevens - frustration with the pseudo-liberal wooly minded tossers who are in government and the judiciary who are either too old and too detached to know the world we live in (Judges) or too greedy (lawyers) to see the greater good which could be done.
As with any profession, amongst coppers, I expect there are good ones and not so good ones.. there are those who are there to help the community and there are those who are in it to satisfy their own inadequate craving for power over people.
I think perhaps more than anything else it is the feeling that as law abiding citizens we cannot protect ourselves, our families and our property without being criminalised ("normally law abiding"="easy target"), whilst at the same time, those who know how to work the system seem to be at liberty to do what they bloody well like.
Certainly, my beef is not with policemen - although "Brian the Commander" can stay right away from my beef..
>> Edited by CarZee on Thursday 7th March 15:56
I understand your frustration with the force itself as I dont imagine its the most thankful job!
Is it really just because of the lack of new recruits that your particular beat is so understaffed or is it because beat officers are being redirected for other things?
From what you say police staffing levels, granted in your one city centre, are at 33% or thereabouts of where they were 6 years ago.
What happened to the more police less crime election pledge then?
It is concerning to say the least that this is the case, I think a start would be for the legal reform people to start thinking about what is a crime and whats not if they are faced with such severe staffing cuts.
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Thursday 7th March 15:47
>> Edited by plotloss on Thursday 7th March 15:47
Is it really just because of the lack of new recruits that your particular beat is so understaffed or is it because beat officers are being redirected for other things?
From what you say police staffing levels, granted in your one city centre, are at 33% or thereabouts of where they were 6 years ago.
What happened to the more police less crime election pledge then?
It is concerning to say the least that this is the case, I think a start would be for the legal reform people to start thinking about what is a crime and whats not if they are faced with such severe staffing cuts.
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Thursday 7th March 15:47
>> Edited by plotloss on Thursday 7th March 15:47
Just to post a alternative experience: My car was broken into two nights ago, not too much damage but £200 worth of CDs nicked. I got in the car had a good swearing session and drove to work and phoned the police, not really expecting any action. Within 15mins Forensics phoned me back and within an hour the guy had come and dusted the car. I was phoned up again today for further details and to give me an incident number. I don't expect anything to come of it but I was pleasently surprised by the response from my local force.
I've had plenty of experience of Police apathy before, when I've reported other crimes, in other areas, but here in West Sussex I was pretty impressed.
I've had plenty of experience of Police apathy before, when I've reported other crimes, in other areas, but here in West Sussex I was pretty impressed.
The problem here is that most people only ever have contact with the police when either;
a) They are being done for speeding on a clear dual carriageway, charged 40 odd quid, knowing their insurance company will be rubbing their hands together when it comes to renewal time.
b) Their car gets nicked, they call 999 and get told the police are too busy.
The natural reaction is to assume that the police are busy fleecing the general public.
Most coppers I've met seem to be genuinely nice blokes or girls (except for the arrogant power crazed b*stard the other day, but that’s another story), but until the balance is made, or perceived to be made the image of the police will continue to deteriorate... sorry.
a) They are being done for speeding on a clear dual carriageway, charged 40 odd quid, knowing their insurance company will be rubbing their hands together when it comes to renewal time.
b) Their car gets nicked, they call 999 and get told the police are too busy.
The natural reaction is to assume that the police are busy fleecing the general public.
Most coppers I've met seem to be genuinely nice blokes or girls (except for the arrogant power crazed b*stard the other day, but that’s another story), but until the balance is made, or perceived to be made the image of the police will continue to deteriorate... sorry.
Carzee, you’re right. There are lazy officers but thanks to computerised command and control systems they have no where to hide and are becoming less and less. I sympathise with the need to protect a home and long for the days when we prosecuted offenders rather than CPS. Then it was our decision to prosecute not that of CPS. Plus we have Magistrates who have no idea what goes on in the real world cause they’ve never been there, and CPS solicitors who are paid peanuts. Pay peanuts, get………
Plotloss, In my force we are short in every department. There are not enough recruits to fill places, because like it or not these people have to be a certain standard. Blunkett knows this but won’t tell you. Instead he wants to give the people who couldn’t get into the Police in the first place powers to stop and detain people. He calls them wardens.
The amount of officers required to police an area is calculated by using a formula taking into account population and reported crime. Thus, we have just the right amount of officers, but if the wheel comes off we have to call other areas for help. That’s why you don’t see a bobby on every corner now. This formula says you, the public don’t need them. We feel that you can not quantify what effect a bobby walking around an estate has, but its not our choice.
Plotloss, In my force we are short in every department. There are not enough recruits to fill places, because like it or not these people have to be a certain standard. Blunkett knows this but won’t tell you. Instead he wants to give the people who couldn’t get into the Police in the first place powers to stop and detain people. He calls them wardens.
The amount of officers required to police an area is calculated by using a formula taking into account population and reported crime. Thus, we have just the right amount of officers, but if the wheel comes off we have to call other areas for help. That’s why you don’t see a bobby on every corner now. This formula says you, the public don’t need them. We feel that you can not quantify what effect a bobby walking around an estate has, but its not our choice.
Dan, Look at it this way. If you see a guy go through a red light and know a nearby officer sees it, you expect him or her to stop the car and give him a ticket. But if you do the same, would you pissed off for getting a ticket and tell the bobby to get out and catch real criminals or take it on the chin?. Most people do the former. What I’m trying to say the law is the law and we are under an obligation to enforce it all, not bits. Having said that, I can’t answer for all bobbies and know there are some arses out there.
Re the stolen car. If the owner has not seen or witnessed anything the officer will not attend because they can take no more information from you directly than you can give over the phone. Their time is better spent looking for your car.
I’m sorry you see all Police like that. You should ring your local station / traffic department and ask about a ride along. Then you get to spend a day in car and you’ll see what really goes on.
>> Edited by relaxitscool on Thursday 7th March 17:20
Re the stolen car. If the owner has not seen or witnessed anything the officer will not attend because they can take no more information from you directly than you can give over the phone. Their time is better spent looking for your car.
I’m sorry you see all Police like that. You should ring your local station / traffic department and ask about a ride along. Then you get to spend a day in car and you’ll see what really goes on.
>> Edited by relaxitscool on Thursday 7th March 17:20
quote:
Seven or eight years ago I came back to my car to find the door half ripped off in an attempt to steal it. I called 999 and was basically told that the 999 number was for emergencies only and that I should go to my local police station to get a crime number for my insurance.
At the police station I was told it was my fault for driving a flash car - what did I expect? I'm still amazed I'm not still in chokey for assaulting a police officer (as in tearing her f*****g head off and shoving it up her a**e)
Of course, there are always enough policemen to nick you for driving at 31mph - then you're a REAL criminal - or is it just that you're easy to catch.
What kind of a bloody country is this these days
Steve what you have to understand is that offenses are dealt with on the basis of their seriousness. Let me try and summarise starting with the most derious first.
1 Speeding
2 driving
3 being in or near a car that is legally yours
4 Murder
5 Armed robbery
6 Child molesting
7 Attempting to gain entry to the UK cos your own coutry is sh@te
8 Completely ruining a perfectly good economy with your stupid ideological nonsense ( this one results in the terrible punishment of a pension for life and a seat in the Lords)
9 Beating the crap out of the elderly for 20p (no punishment)
10 Stealing 50ks worth of car and wrecking it (for this you get your own car and a social worker who gives good head.)
Like relaxitscool I am also a serving officer. I agree with what he has posted. As some of you probably know I am the so called enemy (traffic cop) But even in that capacity I still deal with crime. E.g the last 2 months I have had more crime reports in my tray than RTA reports. As a consequence I have spent most of the time sat in an office writing and transcribing interview tapes rather than going out there and dealing with 'Traffic' type work.
It was interesting to note that one of our senior officers spoke out in the press today about the fact that judges and solicitors/barristers did not care about the victims of crimes in particular violent crimes/robberies. The next thing I saw was a senior Barrister on TV 'slagging' him off telling him to get the job right in the first place thereby closing any 'legal loophole'. Consider this 'scroates' get free legal advice you and I pay for it. Motoring offenders are generally working people who earn money and would therefore not be entitled to free legal advice, but motoring offences in general are outside the remit for free legal advice anyway. A great number of the politicians in this country come from the legal profession, do you honestly think they are going to shoot themselves in the foot and reform the legal system, get real. In general the Police are hard working and do a good job. we try to deal with the problems in society in a fair and efficient manner. We used to get the support of the Goverment, the public, the press, the courts and our bosses. Now it seems that that everyone is taking a pop at the cops, as a consequence you are now getting a demoralised, underpaid, understaffed Police service, the good ones are leaving, the bad ones who can't get better jobs are staying, the standards for recruiting are dropping.
What is the problem with sticking to the rules, whether it is a speeding ticket or a parking ticket if you get caught take it on the chin like a man/woman (got to be P.C. these days). Stop complaining about it, we don't get up in the morning deciding to go out and persecute motorists just because they are easy targets we deal with them because the break the rules. Its just a pitty that criminal offences are not dealt with in the same 'efficient' manner that motoring offences are dealt with. ie no free legal advice etc. Right i'm off I'll put me soap box away for a few weeks (whinge mode off)
It was interesting to note that one of our senior officers spoke out in the press today about the fact that judges and solicitors/barristers did not care about the victims of crimes in particular violent crimes/robberies. The next thing I saw was a senior Barrister on TV 'slagging' him off telling him to get the job right in the first place thereby closing any 'legal loophole'. Consider this 'scroates' get free legal advice you and I pay for it. Motoring offenders are generally working people who earn money and would therefore not be entitled to free legal advice, but motoring offences in general are outside the remit for free legal advice anyway. A great number of the politicians in this country come from the legal profession, do you honestly think they are going to shoot themselves in the foot and reform the legal system, get real. In general the Police are hard working and do a good job. we try to deal with the problems in society in a fair and efficient manner. We used to get the support of the Goverment, the public, the press, the courts and our bosses. Now it seems that that everyone is taking a pop at the cops, as a consequence you are now getting a demoralised, underpaid, understaffed Police service, the good ones are leaving, the bad ones who can't get better jobs are staying, the standards for recruiting are dropping.
What is the problem with sticking to the rules, whether it is a speeding ticket or a parking ticket if you get caught take it on the chin like a man/woman (got to be P.C. these days). Stop complaining about it, we don't get up in the morning deciding to go out and persecute motorists just because they are easy targets we deal with them because the break the rules. Its just a pitty that criminal offences are not dealt with in the same 'efficient' manner that motoring offences are dealt with. ie no free legal advice etc. Right i'm off I'll put me soap box away for a few weeks (whinge mode off)
It's not really the police that are the problem, it's just that they are the enforcers of the law. As has often been said 'The law is an arse' or something like that.
But because they are the public face that we deal with, they are the ones on the receiving end. If we could sort out the stupid laws etc. then everything would be happy again.
But because they are the public face that we deal with, they are the ones on the receiving end. If we could sort out the stupid laws etc. then everything would be happy again.
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