I have often argued that the Police are too heavily burdened with administration to do their job. This last two weeks I have discovered some examples. The other weekend a young lad knocked on my door, about 15 young lads and lasses actually. They wanted to meet my son and use my house as a safe house. Being the Good Samaritan that I am I invited them all in, got out all the crisps in the house and lemonade. It wasn’t long before another half dozen turned up. (For those who chose not to understand imperial measures that is 6, six). I decided to investigate why my son was so popular and discovered that a group in Margate, that shall not be named as I do not wish to make them feel good about their assaults. I discovered that one had been slapped, not particularly hard, but never the less he had been hit. Another had boy had also been hit on a previous occasion and I am aware of other incidents. I explained to the boys that I feel it important that the Police had a record of this crime not so much to deal with this crime particularly but more so that the Police could begin to create a profile of crimes made by this gang. I phoned the police reporting the crime and asked that the Police not to call on their homes as they were scared of repercussions. The police were unable to come to my home at the time of reporting the assaults so I took the two boys to the Police station.

The situation above is true. What is inefficient is that only a Policeman/woman can take the statement, not a PCSO or an administrator behind the desk. It would even be nice if we could have taken a form to fill out. I know legal experts can pull statements apart in a court of law but if like in the NHS it was like an initial statement the Police could decide later what further action is required and if further statements necessary.

The Police were unable to see us that evening and I chose to take the kids home. The Police contacted me in the week as they required a statement and a date was set to visit I picked up the children concerned. We arrived at the Police Station informing the desk clerk that we were here but due to workload we were still waiting to see the Police to complete the crime report. An hour passed and the lads had made arrangements so I spoke to the control desk informing them that we were leaving.

The most important point was that the two boys did not wish to take action. The Police referred to this as a retraction. I kept explaining to them it should not be called a retraction as the assaults happened but apparently this is what the form is called. I propose they change the form to be called a form for no further action request from the victim.

Summary.
Should it be easier for victims to report crime?
The use of the word retraction is inaccurate and should not be used.
Please let me know any views on Policing please comment.

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Trevor C