A couple who dialled 999 to report a burglary at a neighbour’s home were shocked when police replied an hour later by text – asking them to go out and investigate the raid themselves.

 

Lloyd and Suzanne Bishop called police at 5am after they heard a shed padlock being smashed and spotted a man escaping over a fence.

 

But instead of officers racing to the scene, police sent the couple a text at 6am asking them to find out what had been stolen.

 

It read: “Lloyd. Following on from your call earlier on to the police, please can you contact us if you are able to establish what has been stolen and where from?

 

“At this time we’re struggling to get the police to attend general area due to other calls for service. Many thanks.”

 

Mrs Bishop, 29, said: “We were disgusted. To text the person who calls and ask them to investigate what had been stolen, broken into and who did it, is incredible. We were under the impression this type of crime came under 999.

 

“It just gives burglars the idea that they can get away with it because the police aren’t going to send anyone out. What message does that send to my neighbours? Is it just pointless to call police if you see someone breaking into a house?”

 

Do you TRUST police to come to your rescue when you dial 999?

 

Would you be happy to receive a TEXT from police if you called in an emergency?

 

Source: Sunday Express

Without knowing what else the police were doing, we can't really comment. They may have been a lot busier that would normally be the case at that time of night. Of course we would all hope the police would respond quickly to a call like that but there may be times when they can't.

 

Having said that, I wouldn't consider a text message to be an appropriate way to respond.

Its quite shocking just how bad the police are, in January my friend was beat up by a gang of chavs with all my friends as witnesses, we phoned the police who said they would be there within an hour, an hour passed..two..twelve still no sign, we waited around for nothing only for them to come a day later take our statements then never get in contact again.

 

Yet its a different story if the police spy someone aged 16-17 on the streets with alcohol, i was carrying a bottle of cider to my friends house last year and got stopped by the police who then tipped it out in front of me, gave numerous sarcastic insults etc, they are a complete joke spending more time being idiots then anything else.

LOL no.

 

AGES ago there was some guy who tried to take two of my mates away with him (he was a bit loopy), and so some guy rang the police to report him and it must of been a couple of hours until they turned up.

no

 

the police are a joke, unless you are a driver <_<

no

 

the police are a joke, unless you are a driver <_>

Yes it's terrible how they go after speeding motorists. After all, the worst they can do is kill someone.

Yes it's terrible how they go after speeding motorists. After all, the worst they can do is kill someone.

 

:lol:

 

but theres speeding, and theres SPEEDING. tbh id sooner they use their limited resources to tackle serious crime, muggings, assaults, rape, burglaries, thefts, murders, gang crimes and drugs .

I'd rather they try and cover everything considering it's their job? ^^;

 

I dunno about you guys, but 911 here is taken pretty seriously, at least in my area. That being said, I do not trust the police. Nope.

Six years ago, I was mugged at knifepoint in the middle of the day and the police eventually turned up three hours later. I know they're busy, but it wasn't very reassuring.

I've recently got back in contact from someone who was my best friend back in my school days and he's just about to start work as a policeman.

 

He's racist, bigoted and I stopped hanging around with him because he basically started breaking the law himself vandalising etc.

 

His CV is perfect for it :)

Its quite shocking just how bad the police are, in January my friend was beat up by a gang of chavs with all my friends as witnesses, we phoned the police who said they would be there within an hour, an hour passed..two..twelve still no sign, we waited around for nothing only for them to come a day later take our statements then never get in contact again.

 

Yet its a different story if the police spy someone aged 16-17 on the streets with alcohol, i was carrying a bottle of cider to my friends house last year and got stopped by the police who then tipped it out in front of me, gave numerous sarcastic insults etc, they are a complete joke spending more time being idiots then anything else.

 

Totally agree with this post, the police dont give a $h!t for real crimes tbph, they're more interested in carrying out stupid things. The other day they pulled my friend over, whose just passed his test, because he was driving "eratically". He was doing NOTHING of the sort, he wasnt speeding, he's a very sensibile driver and he hadnt been drinking. It's like major WTF at the joke of a police force in this country sometimes.

No :lol: last time i called the police they didnt come until the next morning. I was like wtf....