Police wont investigate crime against OH

Alias_Omega

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Weird_Nev

Everyone is so fast to jump to conclusions - and the IPCC!!!

1) Many forces send out "Screening" letters when a crime report is first screened. Sometimes, this is incorrect in the information it contains. I am forever phoning victims who say that they are surprised because they had a letter the day before saying the matter would not be investigated.

2) The bag has been taken, but forensics can take a while. It just depends on how it's done locally to you. If it has to be sent off a turn around of 4 weeks is normal.

3) With CCTV enquiries to do and potential fornesics, together with a 3rd party witness this matter would NOT be screened out and left uninvestigated. There is a good chance to secure convictions if the offenders can be identified. Police have a duty to investigae offences like this, and will do so as far as possible.

4) A simple phone call with your crime reference number should identify the investigating officer, or their supervisor. Explain what you believe is there to be done, see what they have done, but don't jump straight down their throat on the basis of what is more than likely and automated letter sent by a computer system with NO knowledge of what has actually gone on.

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Make a formal complaint.

The police are trying to fiddle the figures. Was it even recorded as a crime? Ask for the crime number and see.

Ha ha ha. Police can't make violent crimes go away. The letter will have the crime reference on it.

j.e.j. wrote: »

no, something is wrong here. They can't just 'close an investigation' the day afterwards, not having even taken statements. I'd say get some legal advice, or write to the Police, stating what you've put in your post above and ask for an explanation.

Errr, I frequently close investigations without taking statements. If I took statements from everyone at time of reporting offences, I'd do nothing else. I take statements when I'm going to prosecute someone, not as routine (apart from in some offences). In any case, statements may be taken days or weeks (or in some cases longer) after the offence.

QuackQuack wrote: »

If this is really true, start here: http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/default.aspx

BUT!
Be prepared to be stopped for motoring offences by disgruntled coppers for the next 10 or so years........

IPCC to find out what's happened to a crime report? Overkill, No? A phonecall will do.
And Persecution for complaining? I'd nbever even know if someone I spoke to had previously complained about police behaviour.

j.e.j.

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Errr, I frequently close investigations without taking statements.

what, less than a day after the crime has taken place?? :rotfl:

Thanks for your detailed reply though.

Padstow

The golden words are: "I wish to make a statement." That's all, magic.

RacyRed

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Everyone is so fast to jump to conclusions - and the IPCC!!!

1) Many forces send out "Screening" letters when a crime report is first screened. Sometimes, this is incorrect in the information it contains. I am forever phoning victims who say that they are surprised because they had a letter the day before saying the matter would not be investigated.

????????????? Then why on earth are letters sent out saying there will be no further investigation so soon after the crime has been reported?

It takes extra time for you to explain this to victims and does nothing at all to enhance the public's confidence in the police.

This poor guy had to go to A&E for treatment, he probably got that letter while he was still hurting. I'm assuming that the victim hasn't had a call from the officer dealing with the crime, just a letter saying that nothing further is going to be done. He has a right to feel very aggrieved. Any normal person would be pretty outraged in that situation.

The remedy for this one is entirely in the hands of the police. Something is wrong with the screening letter system and needs fixing or a complete re-think.

WhiteHorse

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Everyone is so fast to jump to conclusions - and the IPCC!!!

Why could that be? Read on.

Many forces send out "Screening" letters when a crime report is first screened. Sometimes, this is incorrect in the information it contains. I am forever phoning victims who say that they are surprised because they had a letter the day before saying the matter would not be investigated.

An admission of utter incompetence.

The bag has been taken, but forensics can take a while. It just depends on how it's done locally to you. If it has to be sent off a turn around of 4 weeks is normal.

But of course if the complaint has been binned, then there won't be any forensics, will there?

Ha ha ha. Police can't make violent crimes go away.

No, but they can appear to make them go away, which is what politicians and ambitious senior officers want.

The letter will have the crime reference on it.

Not necessarily.

Kay_Peel

This is very odd. The time-line doesn't make sense, when there are positive lines of enquiry (CCTV, Forensics, the search for possible witnesses etc).

I suspect that you have been sent the wrong standard letter by a clerk.

Just to make sure, phone your Force and ask to be put through to the duty inspector at your local police station, to make a complaint. Have your crime reference number and (if you can remember it accurately) the date and time of your initial call.

Weird_Nev

RacyRed wrote:

Originally Posted by Weird Nev
Everyone is so fast to jump to conclusions - and the IPCC!!!

1) Many forces send out "Screening" letters when a crime report is first screened. Sometimes, this is incorrect in the information it contains. I am forever phoning victims who say that they are surprised because they had a letter the day before saying the matter would not be investigated.
????????????? Then why on earth are letters sent out saying there will be no further investigation so soon after the crime has been reported?

It takes extra time for you to explain this to victims and does nothing at all to enhance the public's confidence in the police.

This poor guy had to go to A&E for treatment, he probably got that letter while he was still hurting. I'm assuming that the victim hasn't had a call from the officer dealing with the crime, just a letter saying that nothing further is going to be done. He has a right to feel very aggrieved. Any normal person would be pretty outraged in that situation.

The remedy for this one is entirely in the hands of the police. Something is wrong with the screening letter system and needs fixing or a complete re-think

Indeed. It's a point we (the coal face) frequently re-iterate to supervisors.
Sadly (where I work) it's part of the ticky box culture. The victims charter states that every victim gets a letter. These letters are generated by computer, and they are generic in tone. They are often not really relevant to the specifics of the crime reported, and my opinion is that they generate more ill will than good. For this reason, I generally try and "Beat" the letter and call first. I'll then explain that unless it's from me, victims are best off ignoring the generic letters as they may not be correct.

Without going to the minutae of how crime reports are collated and reviewed prior to being passed to an investigator (and this is very specific force to force) It's hard to explain how such an apparently fundamental mistake as "your crime is/isn't being investigated" could be made. It is made, all too often, and as I said it really upsets victims and makes our job much harder. Hopefully it will change, but I won't hold my breath.

WhiteHorse wrote: »

But of course if the complaint has been binned, then there won't be any forensics, will there?

Stating this has indicated that you know NOTHING about police procedure, which is why I've not given your post any further comment.

You evidently have a bigger axe to grind.

tankgirl1

Weird_Nev wrote: »

In any case, statements may be taken days or weeks (or in some cases longer) after the offence.

Um.. mightn't people have forgotten important details that long after the event? Just saying

Weird_Nev

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Um.. mightn't people have forgotten important details that long after the event? Just saying

Oh good god! You're right! I hadn't thought of that.

I've been doing it wrong after all these years!