Police Procedure!

[andrea_h]

Hi,

Does anyone know how long it takes for the police to follow up an incident report?

My sister was assaulted last week (Bank Holiday Monday) in a seemingly random attack by a woman (approx 50yr old) in a shop.....there was no CCTV or Security Guard in the store but they managed to get the number plate of the car.....As my sister is 4 mths pregnant and had been kicked & punched quite badly, she went to the hospital to be checked out (all was ok) before the police were called.

Two officers came to take a statement that evening (about 4hrs later) and told her that they were off for the next few days and would not be back until Saturday (this weekend) and would follow it up then - they would trace the registration, arrest the woman and once my sister had identified her they would then press charges - also told her that the prosocution would not go through until after the baby is born in case of any 'defects' (really make you feel better')

My sister still hasn't heard anything from the police and is still very nervous about going out by herself in case she runs into this woman.

How long should she wait before calling the police to see what's going on?

Thanks

A xXx

[blue eyes ;)]

i would chase them up immediatly.what an awful thing to happen...also especially as shes pregnant.i feel so sorry for you both having to go through this.what is the world coming to?sorry i dont have much advice but i hope that woman is arrested and severly charged.i wish you both well.xxxxx

[ktlou]

I agree with blue eyes, I would call them and chase it up asap! Surely they must have done something about it by now so must be able to tell you something! It's such an awful thing to have happened and I feel terribly sorry for your sister! I hope everything is ok and that her baby is well and that the woman is charged accordingly!

[redcrx]

I agree with others, call the station dealing with it and ask what is happening. Explain the stress that your poor sister is under and that she is terrified of going out after what happened. Someone at the station must be able to tell her whats happening and she shouldnt have to put her life on hold whilst she waits for news.

I hope that she recovers from her ordeal quickly and wish her all the best for the rest of her pregnancy

[dot.hawkes]

What about the Victim Support people at the police station WM? They were great when my daughter was attacked by a bloke in the village, (He thought she was someone else and jumped on her back and broke her rib) they came to the house and were excellent. This thug thought my daughter was a lad cos she had a big coat on and a baseball cap! Anyway the police took awhile to sort it but the V.S. helped alot.

[andrea_h]

just to add....

does anyone know what the charge would be?

It seems to be....the woman was shouting abuse at 2 black people in the next queue, (the usual racist cr@p) and asked my sister what she thought - my sister said she wanted nothing to do with it and stepped away - the woman then proceeded to poke my sister etc and ask if she was supporting 'them' - again she said she wanted nothing to do with it - that's when the woman jumped on her back & started kicking & punching, calling my sister a fat b*tch etc - her first response was to scream 'get off me - I'm pregnant' - the woman argued saying no you're not you're just a fat b*tch, my sister then grabbed the woman (scratching her face in the process) to get her off - the woman's husband and other people in the shop cam to help and dragged the woman off her - she was still shouting abuse at everyone around, and told my sister 'I hope you have a miscarriage' (NICE!)

Would this be classed as assault, actual bodily harm or a racially motivated attack/inciting hatred?

Also as my sister scratched the womans face would this count against her - or would it be considered reasonable force in self-defence?

A xXx

[redcrx]

I cant say wht the charge would be but i really cant see your sister being in the wrong for scratching. there were enough witnesses there by the sound of it (i hope they came forward and gave info) to agree with her story and that she was acting in self defense. What was she supposed to do? no-one will have expected her to take such abuse and risk her babies life.

That story sounds shocking, i really hope they do charge the other woman for such an attack.

[funkymoped]

the legal system in this country is a farse ! my lad was knocked out by a pi$$ head druggy. had his face stamped on repeatedly and the police took 3 (three) days to take a statment from him ! his nose was broken and he was concussed. his face was swolen and cut. by the time the police came to take his photo and statement, the swelling was turning to bruse and going down.

the bloke that beat him refused to attend a couple of interviews with the law and dragged the i.d. photo parade for about 6 months. in the end it took 12 full months to get the case to court, even though there was a witness and he admitted the crime !

my son at the time was only 15 and completely innocent of any blame. it was an unprovoked attack.

i phoned to complain and visited the police station that was dealing with the case.. no joy !

the police in THIS area are a joke.

[andrea_h]

Just checking FUNKYMOPED - where are you, just in case we should prepare for a long wait!!

[funkymoped]

hi andrea.

were in the west mids. the land where crime is rife, but most police stations close at 6 pm.

dont want to cause you any worry/distress but its not easy to make things work easily.

if you do go through with a prosecution, i wish you all the best. :-)

[funkymoped]

ward.

nice to know the system has changed. i could have gone into lots more detail, but it wasnt relevant.

thanks for letting us know about the updates.

[helen79]

what the hell is this country coming to? thats disgusting.

[JudgeJ]

Your original question was about police delay, andrea_h, though things seem to have moved on a little since then!

I must say the police do not seem to have been particularly diligent in your sister�s case. Even if they have made no progress, in view of their undertaking to come back to her they should let her know of any progress (or lack of it) they have managed to make. I think you (or preferably she - the police may be reluctant to discuss the matter with you) should approach somebody at Inspector or above to complain about the officers� neglect.

As far as the charge (if any) goes, as ward~minter suggests, it is likely to be either common assault or assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). Despite what has been said, there is a considerable difference between the likely penalties for these two charges with ABH attracting a starting point of custody (even if dealt with in the magistrates� court). If the offence is considered racially motivated (and this would be decided by the CPS after considering all the evidence) it is moved up one notch in the sentencing guidelines.

Delay in the justice system is still rife. The introduction of the �Narey� courts which ward~minter mentions has seen defendants brought to court for their first appearance a lot more swiftly, but delays thereafter, particularly if a not guilty plea is entered, are still considerable. It is not unusual for trials in matters such as this to take place up to a year after the event. With many people being unable to recall what they ate for dinner yesterday, the chances of them recalling minute details (which the defence advocate will press them on) of a rapid event they witnessed 12 months earlier is remote to say the least.