Post by Editor on Mar 8, 2013 10:36:36 GMT
Police took SIX DAYS to respond to a 999 call made by terrified homeowners who found gang of men raiding their home
Homeowners in Thurrock, Essex, came home to find burglars raiding house
Thieves ploughed car through garden wall to escape as they dialled 999
No officers showed and homeowners forced to handle aftermath alone
Finally, lone policeman arrived at house six days later to probe incident
Essex Police apologise, adding: 'We should have responded on the day'
By MATT BLAKE
PUBLISHED: 09:56, 8 March 2013 | UPDATED: 10:01, 8 March 2013
Red-faced police chiefs have made a grovelling apology to the victims of a burglary after officers took six days to respond to their terrified 999 call.
The victims, who have asked not to be named, returned to their home, in Thurrock, Essex, to find a 4x4 car in their drive and a gang of men raiding their house.
When the husband and wife confronted the men, one claimed to be cleaning their block paving.
But as the quick-thinking couple called police, the gang ploughed their vehicle through the garden wall and made a quick getaway.
Anger: The homeowners are now demanding answers from Essex Police after they were left to deal with the aftermath of the terrifying incident alone for six days before an officer responded
But despite the seriousness of the situation, police failed to send an officer to visit the couple until a full six days later.
The homeowners are now demanding answers from Essex Police after they were left to deal with the aftermath of the terrifying incident alone.
Burglar tore life-saving oxygen tube from the mouth of a terminally ill army veteran to force him to reveal where he kept valuables
'I was Philpott's housemaid': Wife accused of killing six of her children in fire told police of her life of drudgery with husband
'I was Philpott's housemaid': Wife accused of killing six of her children in fire told police of her life of drudgery with husband
The husband said: 'It's not good enough. The police showed up six days after we called them.
'The officer was very good but I felt dreadful for him - while he was with us he was called to a possible jumper off a bridge over the A13.'
'Essex Police are looking into the background of this case but it would appear that the caller did not receive the response that they should have and we wish to apologise for that'
- Essex Police spokesman
A spokesperson for Essex Police confirmed they are now investigating the embarrassing incident which happened on Friday, February 22.
A statement read: 'Essex Police are looking into the background of this case but it would appear that the caller did not receive the response that they should have and we wish to apologise for that.
'In this particular case it would appear the call was not given the correct priority and officers should have responded on the day.
'We will examine how this happened to see if there are any lessons that can be learnt to prevent it from happening again. In the meantime we would like to reassure people that the investigation into the offence is on-going and officers are continuing enquiries to find the offenders.
'The Thurrock area is covered by a number of different policing teams including Neighbourhood Crime Teams, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Response and Patrol vehicles and the Criminal Investigation Department as part of the Force's borderless policing concept.
'This means we have a variety of resources available and will always look to send the nearest appropriate officer to a report of a crime.'
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290076/Police-took-SIX-DAYS-respond-999-terrified-homeowners-gang-men-raiding-home.html#ixzz2MwXlPDor
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Homeowners in Thurrock, Essex, came home to find burglars raiding house
Thieves ploughed car through garden wall to escape as they dialled 999
No officers showed and homeowners forced to handle aftermath alone
Finally, lone policeman arrived at house six days later to probe incident
Essex Police apologise, adding: 'We should have responded on the day'
By MATT BLAKE
PUBLISHED: 09:56, 8 March 2013 | UPDATED: 10:01, 8 March 2013
Red-faced police chiefs have made a grovelling apology to the victims of a burglary after officers took six days to respond to their terrified 999 call.
The victims, who have asked not to be named, returned to their home, in Thurrock, Essex, to find a 4x4 car in their drive and a gang of men raiding their house.
When the husband and wife confronted the men, one claimed to be cleaning their block paving.
But as the quick-thinking couple called police, the gang ploughed their vehicle through the garden wall and made a quick getaway.
Anger: The homeowners are now demanding answers from Essex Police after they were left to deal with the aftermath of the terrifying incident alone for six days before an officer responded
But despite the seriousness of the situation, police failed to send an officer to visit the couple until a full six days later.
The homeowners are now demanding answers from Essex Police after they were left to deal with the aftermath of the terrifying incident alone.
Burglar tore life-saving oxygen tube from the mouth of a terminally ill army veteran to force him to reveal where he kept valuables
'I was Philpott's housemaid': Wife accused of killing six of her children in fire told police of her life of drudgery with husband
'I was Philpott's housemaid': Wife accused of killing six of her children in fire told police of her life of drudgery with husband
The husband said: 'It's not good enough. The police showed up six days after we called them.
'The officer was very good but I felt dreadful for him - while he was with us he was called to a possible jumper off a bridge over the A13.'
'Essex Police are looking into the background of this case but it would appear that the caller did not receive the response that they should have and we wish to apologise for that'
- Essex Police spokesman
A spokesperson for Essex Police confirmed they are now investigating the embarrassing incident which happened on Friday, February 22.
A statement read: 'Essex Police are looking into the background of this case but it would appear that the caller did not receive the response that they should have and we wish to apologise for that.
'In this particular case it would appear the call was not given the correct priority and officers should have responded on the day.
'We will examine how this happened to see if there are any lessons that can be learnt to prevent it from happening again. In the meantime we would like to reassure people that the investigation into the offence is on-going and officers are continuing enquiries to find the offenders.
'The Thurrock area is covered by a number of different policing teams including Neighbourhood Crime Teams, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Response and Patrol vehicles and the Criminal Investigation Department as part of the Force's borderless policing concept.
'This means we have a variety of resources available and will always look to send the nearest appropriate officer to a report of a crime.'
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290076/Police-took-SIX-DAYS-respond-999-terrified-homeowners-gang-men-raiding-home.html#ixzz2MwXlPDor
Follow us: @mailonline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
