This is our pick of the week. We are always delighted to test and review the services of state authorities which suppose to work for you. You as the tax payer need to be assured that your money is well spent and the service the authorities provide is second to none.
Our experience, however, float a very different pond that the one reasonably expected. This week we bring you the THAMES VALLEY POLICE services. Particularly the Out Of Court Resolution department.
Case of a victim that has been harassed by an offender. The offender then caused criminal damage. The victim reported this to the Police. The Police investigated and the offender admitted to both the harassment and the criminal damage. The victim then wanted reimbursement for the damage caused and requested the Police to ask the offender for the money. The Police refused to ask the offender and advised the victim to seek remedy via civil courts and if the victim needs any information he should not to ‘hesitate to contact’ the Police officer in charge of the investigation.The damage was around £300. The victim then decided to proceed with the small claims court.
To submit a claim to a court the pre-action protocol (part of Civil Procedures Rules) needs to be followed, to give a chance to the offender to settle the claim out of the court. A letter before action needs to be sent out to set the claim and the offender can act upon it. The victim, however, did not know the offender’s name – the pre-requisite to serve the Letter before action.Hence, the victim contacted the Police, expecting to be provided with the information needed for the claim.
The victim, sent and email to the Police officer requesting the information. The Police officer replied however, without giving any reason, that he cannot give out this information and advised the victim to log request via the Thames Valley Police website. The victim did not find any links to submit such a request, therefore he called the 101 helpline. The 101 helpline Police officer was not able to help and advised that she will pass this onto the colleague and somebody will be in touch to help.
One months later, the victim phoned the 101 help line again as nobody was in touch. This time another police officer try to guide through the website and despite the victim insisted that he is not making request for his information to release but the ones of the offender, the police officer directed him to submit request for his personal data and in the subject box to say that the offender’s details are required. The victim has done as advised.
Continues… Stay tuned.
