The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Woman criticises police over fake cash response
Officers could only attend crime scene days later
Suspects using fake notes in Fife could escape justice because police could not be bothered to do their job, a business owner has claimed.
Laura Campbell was taken aback by the “lazy response” after being told officers could only visit her on Monday despite her making five separate calls about a live scam on Friday.
The calls came over a two-hour period when a group of “unsavoury characters” entered La Vida ladies fashion boutique in Fairley’s Garden Centre in Cairneyhill, near Dunfermline.
Mrs Campbell said events unfolded as follows:
3pm – the group look around before leaving quickly;
3.20pm – police are called after two forged notes are tendered;
End of trading day – police called when group appear again, leaving Mrs Campbell feeling “threatened”;
Officers say they cannot attend until Monday. Mrs Campbell tails group’s car and again calls police. She is told “We can’t respond”;
On returning to the boutique, she finds the alarm system had been disabled and calls the police yet again.
“There were five separate calls between 3 and 5pm and they couldn’t be bothered to come out,” she said.
“I know there are budget cuts but something has to give somewhere to ensure officers are more readily available.”
Mrs Campbell was surprised to learn that police are now urging anyone with information to come forward.
Officers say fake notes have been used in stores in Glenrothes, Auchtermuchty, Tayport, Newport-on-Tay, St Andrews, Lochgelly and Cairneyhill.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers were dealing with a number of ongoing incidents requiring an urgent police response and so attempts were made to arrange a suitable appointment to speak to complainers and obtain full statements.
“We will continue to gather information and conduct the necessary inquiries in relation to these incidents.” gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk