Sunday 29 November 2009

Is it me or is the Police Pledge a bit of a laugh?

I don't expect this will be picked up by many, but to be honest, I'm not that arsed. This will prove very therapeutic for me - coming on here and having a good old rant.

3 and a half years ago, I decided to move house. To cut a long story short, we bought a house from Ronald and Margaret Syddall, a pair of liars, if ever a pair lived. When I say a pair of liars, let me explain. The house is opposite a park and whilst some would say that I should have known better, I asked the appropriate questions and trusted them to give me honest answers. They didn't, as is confirmed by the checking of the forms that theycompleted incorrectly before the sale took place. I actually looked Ronnie in the eye and asked him if there was every any problems with the park - he looked right back at me and said "No, it's a lovely place" First lie of many. Yes, I've taken this to a solicitor who confirms I've a great case to sue them, but to be quite truthful, I haven't got a spare thousand pounds to spare on dragging their sorry arses into court. I'd rather spend it on my kids. I believe what goes around comes around and one of these days, they will get what is due them and I really don't care what happens to them. The pair of them can live their days in misery for all I care.

Anyway, it was only about 2 weeks after we moved in - June 2006 (world cup year you'll recall) that I had cause to ring the police. Some little darlings were chucking rocks onto the railway line which runs near my house. The police operator called me Mrs Syddall....... that provided the answer to a few questions. The pair of liars had called the police several times in the past and I slowly began to realise I'd been a proper fool to have bought this house - but I'd trusted them and there we are.

Perhaps if I go on to share my Police stories - it will give people a bit of a laugh, if nothing else.

When all hell breaks loose in the parks at any time between the hours of 7 at night and 6 in the morning, I am told by the police to call them. So, I do, and I spend ages on hold whilst waiting for someone in the control room at Oldham police, pick up the phone. I've been known to hold on for anything between 10 minutes to 40 minutes - when it is in the early hours of the morning, I usually lie in bed with the phone by my ear, so at least I can try to continue snoozing.

Anyway, on the occasions that I do get through (because sometimes I get very bored and/or fall asleep again) that's when the fun starts.

Operator "Greater Manchester Police"
Me "Hello, can you send an officer out please? We have a gang of around 20 kids pissing about in the park opposite the house"
Op "Can you describe them?"
Me "No, the last time I looked out of the window at them, the 2 front windows of the house were put through, so you'll forgive me if I don't manage to obtain DNA for each of them"
Op "What are they doing?"
Me "Having a fucking tea party, running a marathon, hurling the javelin, how the bloody hell do I know?"
Op "No need for that is there?" (Usually the operator is becoming arsey at this point, which I understand to an extent, what she/he fails to understand is that I've probably been disturbed 3 times before I've actually made the call, and I am so pissed off I want to cry)
Me "No, you're right, there is no need for that, but if you check through your records, you will see that this address has a history - you don't need to ask all the stupid questions, you just need to send an officer out to get rid of them"
Op "Well what are they doing?"
Me "I've told you, they are pissing about in the park, I have to get up for work in the morning, I'm exhausted, I have MS, I need to get a bit of quality sleep, can't you just prioritise this call and send someone out?"
Op "Yes, but what are they doing..."

Annnnd so it goes on - sometimes someone comes out, sometimes they don't.

Anyway, here I shall end this for this evening, because I need to get some sleep......

21 comments:

  1. Bloody right!

    The Police in a majority of cases are a complete waste of tax payers money, about as useless as the BBC licence fee.

    The Police couldn't give a shit about the average man/woman, as long as they don't get alot of paperwork (through doing a decent job) they're laughing.

    I can say this because I have been through the rig morale of asking the Police to do some work, as well as the CPS, which I have to say was like motivating a masturbating teenager to get out of bed on a Saturday morning.

    I'm an not surprised in the slightest, the pay is awful and the criminals they do catch are given what would could only be described as a mediocre spanking, when and if it gets to court.

    To be honest it must make world war veterans think why they gave a fuck risking their lives for King and country, after all we have been left with is pissed up students pissing on war memorials and lazy fat arsed scroungers who we pay to sit on that very same fat arse watching Jeremy Bastarding Kyle.

    Thanks, JW

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  2. At last someone has the bottle to put up the comments about the waste of time our police force are its no wonder there is no respect for them!!

    The biggest joke are the financial investigation units of the police in due course the public will see the police policy on "Pay Back" under the Proceeds of Crime Act the amounts spent to recover cash from people who have not been charged with any criminal offences.

    For example the police will spend 7 or 8 thousand to recover 4 thousand!!! thats good business isnt it!!

    Using our taxpayers money to make a loss

    Who have they taken advice from possibly the bankers in London!!

    Paperwork, CPS advice, budgets etc all moans and groans from police officers it is so well documented you think anyone joining the police would know what to expect before applying.

    The trouble is that people don't know how bad the situation is in our police force and everyone including the officers are pissed off with it.

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  3. mmm... so, if we attend an lawful assembly in a public place and start knocking people about- its the only thing they understand etc... - we end up getting suspended, sacked - no mortgage-no pension- no toys at christmas... and a major load of abuse on every blog site in the world for being heavy handed and stopping people from their lawful right to protest or just stand about in public...

    but... if we dont we get angry ladies and gents like you having a go...

    mmm... damned if you do... damned if you dont...

    except of course- one has more money for me and my family.

    as to your attitude- upset? ok... i get it...

    try ringing the bank and behaving the same... they will just cut you off..

    I suggest you pop down to your local police station and become a special constable for a few months- then you can sort them out eh?

    of course the first time you over step your authority (excessive force against a child - anyone under 18)- you will be booted out.

    you see- its all so simple from your armchair... different when you are faced with a gang of cheeky kids- if they dont commit any offences- the Police cant arrest them- or do much...

    anyway... no doubt the above will be as waves on a rock- because a lot of moaning members of the public just think their teenage kids behaving in a naughty way (not any offence i know) is actually more important than me attending a burglary- looking for a missing person- dealing with an assault etc... just a symptom of the selfish ME ME ME ME ME!!! society we have created...

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  4. oh and I forgot!

    Police are only insured to carry Police- people that are under arrest and people that are conducting an area search (like trying to identify a robber etc.)

    anyone else would not be covered- since the officer knows that - he/she could be done for it!

    PSD would love that one...

    just so you know...

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  5. aren't police meant to be serving the local needs of local people though? If local people have a concern with ASB then they should get their arses out and show some presence and dominate the round they are supposed to be able to cover.

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  6. Why would anyone ring the bank and tell them there's a gang of kids wreaking havoc outside their house at 4am??? Or am I being thick?

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  7. Why tell this poor lass to fuck off down to her local nick and do a stint as a stupid special constable? Why the hell would she want to do that? She seems to be so disillusioned with the "efforts" (haaaaaa) of the police that she'd hardly be in a position to want to bloody join you, now would she?

    I reckon she has a point - that's a bit thick really isn't it? But there you go, clearly what she faces is a reality and with attitudes like yours, Mr-Mrs-Ms Anonymous Old Bill, it is little wonder she has resorted to this. You yourself show little sympathy and you don't even know her and that is her point - YOUR selfish attitude is indicative of the police's attitude towards her - they clearly don't give a shit.

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  8. mmm... ok... here is some practical advice...

    video the idiots and send it off with a covering letter to:

    the chief...
    the local newspaper
    the local tv...

    you will get a resp then...

    you may not believe this- but I am on your side- firmly- in this matter...

    I dont like what we do either...

    but as a pc- i dont get to make policy- mps and SMT do that... i do my bit every day...

    good luck and keep posting- its always enlightening to debate.

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  9. So I presume the police's attitude to Fiona Pilkington was "Oh balls to her it's just a few naughty kids outside her house"?

    Then again I'm sure her 33 separate phone calls to police were not as important as attending a burglary or looking for a missing person, or dealing with an assault.

    Poor Fiona who was driven to suicide, I guess you would just put that down to her "selfish ME ME ME" attitude!

    Tosser

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  10. 33- over HOW MANY YEARS ?

    why is someones mental health a Police problem?

    do doctors attend fraud investigation? nope... police matter- people abandonded without access to mental health services is not a police matter... how could it be?

    Fiona Pilk is a tragic case- yes... but the poor lady had a lot more problems in her life than ASB..

    would you have murdered your kids because of asb?

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  11. I hope to Christ you're not a member of the Constabulary. What a fucking disgrace to your profession if you are.

    Fiona Pilkington is tragic case???? How patronising. BECAUSE of the vulnerability of that family they should have been better looked after. No, their mental health is not a Police problem, not at all, but when the vulnerable in our society turn to the police for help and they don't get it, the police have FAILED in their duty.

    And actually, yes, at times, doctors are asked to give evidence in fraud cases. But what the hell has fraud got to do with Anti Social Behaviour? As pointed out previously, the prisons are full of people who shouldn't be there and the ones who should are walking the streets, driving poor families like Fiona's to desperate measures.

    And would I murder my children - don't be ridiculous - I'm of sane mind. I may well however, take the law into my own hands... one of these days.

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  12. Simple as this the police would rather go for an easy collar and their supervisors will then be happy with the figures being another conviction/solved crime (hurrah!!)

    "Admit it and we will give you a caution" it avoids you waiting for legal advice a solicitor will take ages, (and me doing a lot of paperwork.)

    There you have it police are prosecutor judge and jury in one fail swoop.

    Justice done....I dont think so!!!

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  13. This is quite an interesting subject, but nothing new.

    I've noted the point on the Leicester woman, 33 calls and the officer asks over how many years? What difference does it make? Go on, what difference? 33 calls over 33 years, 33 calls over 33 days, 33 calls over 33 billion minutes, why split hairs for fuck sake? The woman felt exposed enough to call the police 33 times and still she got no help. Don't question it mate, the police have already coughed that they let her down. Don't even try to defend yourselves.

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  14. This is a shit situation. I can barely even begin to imagine how trapped and ignored you feel.
    If I may I'll ask you a question; You mentioned having windows smashed, have any other criminal acts been carried out or is it the noise etc that is the problem?
    I'll be honest, getting called to a job like this is one that makes my shoulders sag because I know I can't fix it.
    I can't make the kids go away unless I'm arresting them for a crime. I can't order them to leave an area because it's their right to go there.
    If I do bend the rules and just tell them to F off they'll be back as soon as I leave and I will leave... Ask how many cops cover your neighbourhood any given night. You might be surprised.
    There a few Officers I know who want to work like this, decent people deserve decent lives but we have to work within the scope of the law. Would you do something your boss had told you not to to please a customer?
    There's the problem perhaps. You're a customer, their customers. Police forces spend so much time trying to keep everyone happy and justifying their actions they've lost sight of the needs of people like you.
    The Policing pledge may be something that can work for you though, Complain, keep complaining. Tell the council, the papers, sit in the station until you're seen.
    I honestly wish you all the luck in the world.
    Keep us posted.

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  15. One of the more sensible posts, bless you.

    Other criminal acts? In the words of Andy Williams, where do I begin? Garage broken into, bikes stolen, cars vandalised on a number of occasions (some nice little footprints left on my lad's car one evening, darlings aren't they?) My lad's been threatened by gangs of lads as he walked past them (he's driving now so doesn't have to walk past them and to be fair, one of the lads has been thrown out of his flat - WHY didn't we do a neighbour check? I must've been mental) I've been abused as I've gotten out of my car coming home from work (you see that's usually when the fun starts, early evening onwards, because no doubt these low life twats have been in bed most of the day, sleeping off whatever they've had the night before) They once went to the trouble of digging up some of the turf on the bowling green (not directed at me clearly, but upsetting as I know how much the old men around here love to bowl). Only 2 weeks ago someone torched a car outside the park 25 yards from the houses.... And the list goes on.

    I've done everything you suggest, complained, bitterly - only to be told by an Inspector a couple of weeks ago that we were overreacting or living in Beirut. So you know what, with attitudes like his, I simply give up. I'm not asking anyone to bend rules, I'm asking for offenders to be dealt with appropriately.

    I'm not an unreasonable person but I brought my two children up properly and I expect others to have done the same. I've tried helping the police and the councillors (who incidentally, really are a waste of space!) by attending meetings etc - but you know what? I spotted a memo on a wall one day which mentioned a kid that I knew because my son knew of his family and it was basically a police officer begging to be allowed to give this lad an ASBO because he'd had cause to speak to him... wait for it.... 64 times!!! WTF. 64 times? Was the message not getting through or something? I mean hell fire, 64???? Does no-one see that you guys are storing up work for the future, and the kids you have cause to speak to now, will be your workload in a few years time? As it turned out, this 64 times offender wrapped a stolen car around a lampost recently whilst being chased by the police and I was throughly ashamed to say that I actually laughed and said "one less mouth for me to feed" - But when I thought about what I'd said I felt terrible, but that is because I'm a decent person and as a mum I could imagine what his mother was going through, despite the fact she had clearly dragged this little urchin up and should never have had kids in the first place.

    I hear what you say about not being able to arrest them etc, but if there are 20 kids dicking about right outside someone's house at midnight, surely you can ask what the hell they are doing there and why they're not at home in bed??? Or am I being too simplistic to expect my standards?

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  16. Christ, almost wish I hadn't started.
    Don't, even for a minute try to apply your standards to others, for down that path lies misery.
    Look, I'm not going to try to justify Police actions/inaction.
    At the end of the day we've all elected successive governments who've allowed society to slip to this level.
    Daily I worry for my sons future. I'd go live in a friggin' forest if I could.
    I don't have answers but I would welcome with open arms anyone who did.

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  17. Andy Williams.... different league love!

    I am just thankful that my children are grown up and that I don't have the added worry of protecting 2 little ones amidst this mess. But you know, my daughter lives in France (no prizes for guessing where I shall retire to) and I do worry about her every day, is she safe, is she happy - my son is 20, 6ft 2 - lovely lad, gentle giant, never been in trouble, but when he goes out, I worry until he gets back, if I ring him and he doesn't pick up, I panic - maybe I'm an overprotective mother, but it's a shame that there aren't more parents like me.

    So I hear what you say, that I shouldn't try to apply my standards across the board, but someone bloody well should! It's not rocket science!

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  18. Its sad the police don't have time to deal with the complaints that cause you and me problems, because we (and i say we as i'm an officer) have to deal with a lot of other crap! I spend endless hours stood with prisoners at hospital or at their cell door, because they decide they want to hurt themselves, or 5 minutes before the police arrested them, they took 20 tablets... thats 4 -6 hours i'm not out answering your call!
    Yes there will always be the police officer that doesnt' care, but also officers are under pressure to get to calls. I work on a "response" team. As the name suggests, we respond to emergency calls. Between 2am and 8am, we are normally the only officers working. CID have one on and NPT have gone home! Its the police forces themselves that sperad us thin and set stupid targets. I'd love nothing better than to spend a shift sorting out the problem of kids in the park, because you wont be the only one complaining... but i have calls to answer and my Sgt Won't let me sit with you to try sort it.
    As for CPS... the police don't like them! A friend of mine, off duty witnessed an attempt burglary, then the thugs tried to rob him. All well known to the police, but his work was worth squat, as 2 put a lying statement against him saying he started it

    Anyway, sorry, but police do try to help and do care, but we have a lot of pressure to get to the next call and pass the buck... sad fact! Sorry...

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  19. I've been a serving officer for years. There is a very well used saying in police stations up and down the country. It's simple. "The job's fucked!"
    We spend too much time worrying about the little darling's human rights. They know even if we lock them up for some offence the courts will do nothing. (The courts are tied by sentencing guidelines.) There are loads of liberals telling us prison doesn't work anyway..... well to me, a burglar in prison is not out burgling, how can that be a bad thing? Prison's are full? Build more. I live in this society too. I bring my kids up and suffer crime and anti-social behaviour (fairly infrequently thankfully, not in the same boat as you). Police officers (not managers... anyone above the rank of inspector hasn't made an arrest in years) are frustrated daily. You ask any officer with over 20 years service when he is due to retire and he will be able to tell you the date and how many working days he has left. The job is well and truly fucked. Anyway, that's my little rant over with. Cops are as fed up with it as the rest of society.

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  20. I was going to respond as a police officer with a working knowledge of problems similar to what you're facing, but it seems to be clear that I'd just be shouted down, called a lazy tosser etc.

    I get enough of that abuse at work for trying to help others, I think I'll avoid it in my offduty time.

    Good luck though and as for brief practical advice:

    1.) Keep a diary of events.
    2.) Photograph/video where possible.
    3.) Call the police every time and have a FWIN generated. Don't get arsey with call takers, they're civilian staff and when does that ever help anyway?
    4.) Contact your local police station and speak to the beat manager for the area. If you tell me the park (Alexandra?) then I can tell you the beat manager or if you goto the neighbourhood policing section of the GMP website ( http://www.gmp.police.uk/live/nhoodv3.nsf/index-divisions.html?ReadForm&Division=Oldham )

    If the beat manager doesn't help to address the problem speak to the area sergeant or Inspector.

    4.) I don't know if Oldham Council works the same as Manchester (I work South Manchester area somewhere) but there is an ASBA Team that should be able to assist.

    It's basic neighbourhood policing and whilst it's not very easy for a Response Team to deal with initially (unless they're committing offences) it should be more fruitful having an NPT officer run through it.

    Feel free to call me names though ;)

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