I’ve been burgled but police don’t want to know
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey has said that crime victims might only receive a visit from the Metropolitan police if they are ‘vulnerable’, raising concerns that middle-aged english speakers might be pushed to the back of the queue (Mail). Well, I am in my 50s and maybe my english was too good when I rang essex police to report that my home had been burgled and trashed, because a month later, I have still not had a visit from a police officer. When I questioned this, a detective sergeant stated essex police no longer visit burglary victims and deal with break-ins ‘via email and telephone calls’. My neighbour has CCtV footage of the burglary taking place, including of the getaway vehicle, and this has been sent to the police eight times. But the police state they have been ‘unable to view it’ and have ‘no capacity at this time to attend the address in order to view the CCtV’. I have given up hope that my jewellery, which was of great sentimental value, will be returned. Should I ever become a victim of crime again, perhaps I will ring the police using broken english in the hope that will elicit a response.
MICHELLE HICKSON, Laindon, Essex.