Disgruntled residents ask police why their cases have been closed

Disgruntled Littleborough residents asked police why their cases have been closed, following the news of police closing cases and refusing to investigate crimes, including those with clear CCTV footage.

https://www. rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115579/police-refuse-to-investigate-crime-despite-clear-cctv-footage

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115554/police-tell-road-rage-victim-to-forget-it

Speaking at the local PACT meeting on Tuesday (23 January), businesswoman Nicki Crossley said her company has had three vans broken into over recent months, the most recent being on Sunday 21 January.

She said: “On Sunday, when we discovered a van of ours had been broken into, I informed the staff member who was in possession of the vehicle to report it to the police.

“She was unable to do this on the non-urgent phone number as the recorded message said the call would be charged at 15p per minute and the expected wait time was 30 minutes. It would have cost her £4.50 to report the crime, which didn’t warrant a 999 call.

“To date as a company, we have had three vans broken into in Wardle and Littleborough, along with the office which is based in Castleton. Within two days of being broken into at the office, although a PCSO and scenes of crimes attended, we received a letter closing the case due to lack of evidence, even though there was CCTV from a local shop.

“It’s not just the theft; it’s the damage and inconvenience too.”

The officers took a contact number for Nicki and will be in touch with an update.

One resident raised the issue of witnessing a drug deal, but felt there was little point in dialling the 101 non-emergency number as he felt there was no feedback on what happens after a crime is reported.

The police said: “We have to prioritise what’s what and who goes where. Without the public’s help, we are a waste of space. I can only apologise as there appears to be a failure in communication. Please don’t be disheartened from dialling 101.”

Another resident echoed Nicki’s concerns with another incident of a van theft.

She said: “We only reported it for insurance purposes. We were told it would be looked into and it was closed. People feel discouraged and lots don’t bother reporting it because nothing is done. This is why the police have no evidence.”

The police responded: “We are very under-resourced and we are asking for more resources, but we know we won’t get them. We’re not making excuses, but we need to work smarter with what we have.

“It sickens us as we joined the force to help people. For whatever reason, we have to deal with what we have, and you won’t always get a police officer to your door. It’s not ideal, but a lot of things go on behind the scenes.

“People think they’re doing the right thing when they take matters into their own hands, but it creates more burden for the police when we have to go after vigilante groups.”

Despite a flurry of similar incidents – mostly van thefts – only a handful of affected residents attended the meeting with police representatives at Littleborough United Reformed Church.

Police also reiterated the importance of reporting through 101, not social media, which is not monitored 24/7.

Councillor Janet Emsley pledged to take concerns to the next GM Police and Crime Steering meeting.

The next Littleborough and Wardle community meeting takes place at 7pm on 20 March at Littleborough United Reformed Church.