I'm Disgusted

Right ok,

so I'm working today (Saturday), and we get an old dear, about 70, brought into the restaurant by a member of staff. She's visibly shaken, so we give her some coffee. It then transpires that she's just been mugged in our store. Some tw*t decided to steal her handbag while she was heading for the exit. Apparently a customer and the security guard gave chase, but couldn't apprehend the suspect. She was shocked, naturally, but she was able to laugh about it, joking that she hoped her numbers didn't come up on the lottery as her ticket was in her bag. Anyway, the Police are called, they don't come.

So there's this 70 odd year old lady, shaken by her ordeal, could probably do with some TLC and the reassuring presence of a Policeman. But no, they want to speak to her on the phone instead and get details from her. This grossly offended me. I considered this highly rude and insensitive, are victims of crime not important? Especially when it's someone who is considered especially vulnerable?

The B*stard responsible has been caught on the store's CCTV, and the tape will go to the Police. However, I am NOT impressed with the Police response thus far.

this is not right. In Surrey, it is policy that whilst this is not an emergency response, a unit should be on scene within 30 minutes. Take details over the phone? This is madness. I'd definately be thinking about putting in a complaint about this. OK, it might be force policy... so change the bloody policy. Maybe a good point about joining BTP eh Orinoco? Not good for D&C public relations.

A terrible response, however you only have the control room to blaim for the inadequacy.
They determine what we attend.

I agree. We had dimilar problems when I worked in CCTV

The officers are great when they attend, but it's getting to speak to them, or rather going through the "police staff" gatekeepers who don't seem to have a clue as most were recruited purely on the basis of their typing and telephone skills, and many have never set foot outside of an office so don't know what the public face on a daily basis.