Witness to two guys arguing,what's with all the ?????

[Chrispy Porker]

If you want to be anonymous, fair enough.
To give your name address and phone number tends to suggest you do not want to be anonymous, or have I missed something.

Ok.
So the police know that you are a witness as you have told them so and given details so they can contact you.

A case develops concerning what you have reported.

What do you expect the police to do? Ignore the fact that they have a witness who has come forward?

I have already explained along with others why this information is needed. One of the reasons is disclosure to the defence, a subject close to peoples hearts on this site.

What is so personal, in this case, that it is not a matter of public record by the way?

[Plotloss]

So are you saying its stupid to want to be anonymous or stupid to give details? I'm confused, could you clarify?

If you stand as a witness how can the defendant's counsel question your validity as a witness on the basis of your criminal record or lack thereof, they cant check it can they? As surely thats private? Granted I know nothing about the law as I've never been a witness or a defendant. I just dont understand why you as an entirely independant witness should be subjected to having someone run a PNC check on you because you have witnessed a crime that you have nothing to do with.

[Chrispy Porker]

Plotloss said:

So are you saying its stupid to want to be anonymous or stupid to give details? I'm confused, could you clarify?

If you stand as a witness how can the defendant's counsel question your validity as a witness on the basis of your criminal record or lack thereof, they cant check it can they? As surely thats private? Granted I know nothing about the law as I've never been a witness or a defendant. I just dont understand why you as an entirely independant witness should be subjected to having someone run a PNC check on you because you have witnessed a crime that you have nothing to do with.

The stupidity lies with those who seem to want the police to do half a job.

The witnesses previous convictions are disclosable to the defence.
If you were being accused of something by someone with a track record for dishonesty I would have thought you would want your defence lawyer to know that.

Many times on here people criticise the police for a perceived lack of interest in cases. Yet, when it seems they are behaving diligently and correctly people say that is wrong.

That is the part I am surprised by.

[14-7]

Chrispy Porker said:

Many times on here people criticise the police for a perceived lack of interest in cases. Yet, when it seems they are behaving diligently and correctly people say that is wrong.

That is the part I am surprised by.

That's just normal response nowadays though isn't it?

People like nothing more than to have a go at someone else. In the emergency services its always the police because they are the ones that the majority have dealings with and therefore more things to sg them off about.

Its amazing how quick people are to have a go at the police but then as soon as they need them its a case of "what are you going to do about it?"

The people who do nothing but have a go at the police should consider what they say because you never know when you may need them.

[Chrispy Porker]

14-7 said:

Chrispy Porker said:

Many times on here people criticise the police for a perceived lack of interest in cases. Yet, when it seems they are behaving diligently and correctly people say that is wrong.

That is the part I am surprised by.

That's just normal response nowadays though isn't it?

People like nothing more than to have a go at someone else. In the emergency services its always the police because they are the ones that the majority have dealings with and therefore more things to sg them off about.

Its amazing how quick people are to have a go at the police but then as soon as they need them its a case of "what are you going to do about it?"

The people who do nothing but have a go at the police should consider what they say because you never know when you may need them.

Actually I take back the last line.
I'm not anymore

[Jasandjules]

rumpelstiltskin said:

No she answered them all,what was she supposed to do,tell the police officer to mind her own business?I actually felt like calling them back to see what was with all the questions.

Yep, tell them to get stuffed.

Also advise them it is an offence to store such information under the DPA as it is not relevant.

TBH, I suspect it was someone non plod trying to get info.

[Chrispy Porker]

Jasandjules said:

rumpelstiltskin said:

No she answered them all,what was she supposed to do,tell the police officer to mind her own business?I actually felt like calling them back to see what was with all the questions.

Yep, tell them to get stuffed.

Also advise them it is an offence to store such information under the DPA as it is not relevant.

TBH, I suspect it was someone non plod trying to get info.

Which information was not 'relevant'?
This is getting daft now.

ETA ( I thought you were a lawyer by the way ? )

Edited by Chrispy Porker on Sunday 20th July 08:06

[Battenburg Bob]

I never ceased to be amazed at the ill informed drivel that is posted on here. Go into a Police Station and ask to look on the back of a Statement form (MG11). You'll actually be able to see the spaces for these questions. (So you can all put the conspiracy theories to bed)

If they're blank, then CPS fails the file and the Officer gets it in the neck.

[Flintstone]

Sorry, completely off topic but when I read this I had some really, really un-PC thoughts that made me giggle.

rumpelstiltskin said:

...two guys who go to the local handicapped centre...throwing his arms around but never connecting.

[Trax]

We shouldnt be moaning to the officers who have to ask questions, but the idiots in charge who only think that Human Rights apply to ciminals, and therefore private information is ours to give away.

[heebeegeetee]

rumpelstiltskin said:

Last call being tonight,hello it's PC whoever,asking for details of the non-fight,they wanted my partner's name,maiden name,date of birth,where she was born,whether she was working or not,knicker size,chest measurements...well only the last two were a joke!Why the hell do they need a maiden name and to know whether she is in employment?I could see while she was on the phone speaking to the officer she was obviously uncomfortable having all these pointless questions being flung at her.

The police try to deter the reporting of crime so that they, and the govt., can claim reductions in the crime rate. Other methods used are the changing of phone numbers of police stations and other lines used for reporting, the closing of stations to members of the public, and so on.

[Battenburg Bob]

heebeegeetee said:

The police try to deter the reporting of crime so that they, and the govt., can claim reductions in the crime rate. Other methods used are the changing of phone numbers of police stations and other lines used for reporting, the closing of stations to members of the public, and so on.

Yet more ill informed rubbish. The facts are that we are forced to record incidents as crimes, even when the caller doesn't want to report it and was calling 'just to let us know'.

[Plotloss]

Chrispy Porker said:

The stupidity lies with those who seem to want the police to do half a job.

The witnesses previous convictions are disclosable to the defence.

I'm struggling to understand this anonymous crime reporting concept in that case.

Are you saying that you'd rather not have people report crimes anonymously? Or just that they have no weight should the offence go to trial and are therefore worthless as a point of law?

For instance would someone caught in posession of a small amount of a controlled substance be charged with supply because someone anonymously reported that they were a 'drug dealer' or would they be charged only with posession because the crime was reported anonymously?

I'm not sure its a case of people wanting the police to do half a job but given a choice between performing a civic duty, which could be anonymous depending on the number you call, or having their privacy invaded as a result of doing their civic duty you must accept that at least a proportion of people will feel uncomfortable with this?

[heebeegeetee]

Battenburg Bob said:

heebeegeetee said:

The police try to deter the reporting of crime so that they, and the govt., can claim reductions in the crime rate. Other methods used are the changing of phone numbers of police stations and other lines used for reporting, the closing of stations to members of the public, and so on.

Yet more ill informed rubbish. The facts are that we are forced to record incidents as crimes, even when the caller doesn't want to report it and was calling 'just to let us know'.

Not so much ill-informed, more first-hand experience.

[Cat]

Plotloss said:

For instance would someone caught in posession of a small amount of a controlled substance be charged with supply because someone anonymously reported that they were a 'drug dealer' or would they be charged only with posession because the crime was reported anonymously?

Yep that's right

If you were not prepared to act as a witness to the fact that you saw them dealing and the person wasn't traced in possession of an amount of the drug that indicated dealing. What evidence could be led in court that they were in fact dealing?

I can understand that people may be reluctant to get involved, but that is the way the judicial system works. The accused has a right to face their accuser, and to test the evidence which is offered against them.

[bi9_jk]

I think that you might be overlooking the point. Although these are standard questions, maiden name(if she got divorced in the near future and they needed to contact her - im not being funny or insulting I hope you understand)(employment - alternative contact, best times to call ect).

The point is that since two months have passed it may seem stupid to ask these questions however what may have been a non-fight at the time may have now amounted to a more serious incident some days/weeks later. Perhaps your situation is one of an ongoing feud(bar a better word) that has escalated and is perhaps now a serious charge.