A police commander has admitted even he has hit problems contacting South Yorkshire colleagues through the force's new multi million pound call handling centre. [...] Neighbourhood watch wardens complained last night of waiting for minutes to get through to someone as a crime was being committed. Penistone Lea Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Zoe Sykes said she was kept waiting whilst making a 999 after two residents were driven at by yobs in the street, shortly after the policing changes took place. "All I got was the BT woman, saying: 'we can't get through to this, we can't get through,'" she said. I have logged the call myself, for my own evidence." - more (http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=702437)

I recommend you click the "more" link and read the rest of the story - it certainly sent a shiver down my spine!

I hope they get things fixed before I ever need to call them :o

:( I phoned 999 a couple of weeks ago asked for the police and was put on hold for about 5 minutes

This is probably what happen in relation to this thread Fretchville Library Break In (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4131)

The police eventually turned up the following day to the library after Radio Sheffield telephone them and us to find out what happened!!
The police turned up a few days later at the co-op to find out if they could identify the culprits!!

Moon

Can't say that I have had these probs in Derbyshire, though I have to admit I've not made a 999 call.

Recently there was an escaped horse running through our estate. I called the local number and withing 5 mins they were out.

That is where I think we do better than South Yorks in that we don't go through to a central call centre, we can still call locally.

I wonder if the Police have considered moving their call centre to India? ;)

Originally posted by Andy
I wonder if the Police have considered moving their call centre to India? ;)
That'd probably be more efficient.

I've seriously lost all confidence in the police. I think if we did away with them altogether it'd only be slightly worse than it is now.

I'm not sure how many of you read the full story, but one disturbing line I didn't include in my quote above was this:

On another recent evening, he revealed officers on the beat were left without radio communications for the first time he could remember in more than 30 years on the force.

So, even if you're lucky enough to get through, you will have to also hope their radios are working :P

I did wonder why that Dr Who Tardiss type Police Box is still outside the Town Hall.

Maybe that's the backup communications system?

When i contacted them about my missing simcard it took them a full day to respond, and then I had to call them for that, it appeared that the person i spoke to in their call center had not logged the details of the matter correctly therefore we had to wait for him to come back on to the system to re log the call or something, the police in my opinion dont get paid enough wages to make more people join therefore they are losing the manpower they need for such a city as Sheffield, our city is getting bigger and needs better paid staff to work here. Nurses and firemen are always noted that they don't get enough for what they do but I am sure its the same for the police, its a simple theory really, more cash flow to wages and more people will join.

A family member worked for SY police on the emergency switchboard. They moved all the computers controls downtown to a central location. Of course they had computer issues and lack of staff. The computers kept crashing with all the new softwear. I doesn't work and they are finding out big time. People with non emergency calls were using the 999 number, so real emergencies couldn't get through. It is true that even the staff think the system is f***ed up. It's a lot to do with the lack of trained staff and lack of managers to train the staff.
So next time you call 999 (hope you don't need to) there will probably be a rookie answering the phone with no experience.

apparently someone who lives near me works for the contractors installing the new communications system for the police. Up from somewhere down south, they have rented a flat for a year (at well over the going rates) and pay all his bills including food, no doubt on top of his (or her) wages. that's where all the police money is going...

I've found 999 to be very slow, not only for the police but for ambulance.

A regular customer had an asthma attack outside our pub a couple of months ago. We phoned 999, it took ages to be transferred to the ambulance service and then after a long series of stupid questions, eg 'is he having trouble breathing', 'why yes! It's an asthma attack'.....and other stupid questions figuring out how he was and giving information that was wrong....such as telling us to lie him down, which is the worst thing for an asthmatic......they finally agreed to send an ambulance.....nearly fifteen minutes later it arrived. They started CPR on the man in the ambulance but he died on the way to hospital.

I've tried getting though to the 220 2020 number a few times but I get put on hold (at my expense) for AGES. I've often given up and not bothered reporting things simply cos it takes too long to get through.

Another story (mine):
On Sunday at about 8pm a car whizzed up our little dead end road at a good 40mph, turned at the top, sped back down again at about 50mph, then reversed back up at speed and straight into one of the parked cars before speeding off again.

Joyrider, we thought, and rushed out to see whose car had been hit. I saw a partial of the car's licence plate, and my other neighbours saw enough to identify the car. We even knew who it belonged to, and that it was very likely a big problem (long story).

The hit car was fairly mashed. So I phoned the police to let them know that either a joyrider or a drunk nearly-homicidal maniac was on the roads and likely to kill someone. I dialled 2202020, waited 30-40 rings for an answer, got put through to my local station at last, listened to the always-aggravating 'your call is important to us. We realise someone may be killing you or running off with all your worldly belongings right now, but frankly we're too busy to care'. I listened to that for a good ten rounds.

AND THEN! The mad woman who finally picked up the call said 'oooh, I suggest you report that to your local police station within 24 hours.' I patiently told her that I WAS and that someone was razzing around small residential streets smashing into cars, and asked her to send someone out. Her response was: 'you're not listening to me. You need to report this in person at your local station within 24 hours. It is a crime to drive recklessly and leave the scene of an accident' She said exactly the same thing to every question, even when I told her we had identified the car. Finally I asked out of frustration if they send anyone out after joyriders/ drunk drivers purposefully using their car as an assault weapon any more. Her answer? Guess...
'It is a crime to blah blah blah, report in person blah blah blah'

Let's see, get in the car and drive two miles to Woodseats police station to tell them what I was telling them on the phone, meanwhile risking being smashed off the road by this mad driver? Walk, and be squashed? Wait until tomorrow, when their car is either safely parked up or has killed someone? WHY????

Even the woman whose car was smashed wouldn't talk to the police. She said she just didn't see the point. Nothing would be done, and she'd be putting herself in further danger.

This is insane. What are they doing, apart from policing football matches? And this is only the latest in a long line of similar problems. I no longer see the point in calling them. They do not care, they do not come out, they're too busy taking your details to pursue criminals, and I'm sick of it. They may as well not be there.

Rant over.:loopy:

Cosy

What the heck are you dailing 220 2020 for? That's the switchboard number and you will end up in a Q with everyone from reps selling stationary to grans wishing PC 1234 a happy birthday.

IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 999...REPEAT 999... once again for the hard of understand 999999 999 999 :rolleyes:

It's YOUR FAULT that that you didn't get satisfaction, not the Police's. Have a look at my own rant in Speedbank thefts beware!!!

I didn't dial 999 because I wasn't about to be murdered. I didn't need an ambulance, and my house wasn't about to burn down.
I wanted my local police station, not to tie up the emergency lines with a non-emergency matter. This was a matter that needed the police, yes, but not 999.
And the main problem came with the response from my local police station. I doubt the response would have been any different had I been put through to them via 999 while tying up lines for people in serious distress. THAT is my problem with them.
In the past I have been asked to follow this course of action (dialling S Yorks instead of the emergency number for very similar situations) BY THE POLICE THEMSELVES.
Your dedication to the welfare of our police is touching. They need someone to back them up at this low point. But at the moment I don't feel inclined to do so.

Go to the press, they love stories like this. You could also get a copy of the tape of your phone call (assuming they tape the calls to non-emergency calls, like they do 999) under the Freedom of Information Act. I'd love to have a listen!

An elderly relative of mine recently got mugged by some youths near her home.

She phoned the police and it was 36 hours before anyone even came to take her story. I had to complain after 24 hours because no one had even been in contact, she was terrified to go out of the house until the police had got her story.

Stuff like this really doesn't give you much confidence does it? I can understand them not responding quickly to lost Sim cards but mugging and violence, come on chaps.

mikey

Cosywolf, you did say...


Originally posted by cosywolf

The hit car was fairly mashed. So I phoned the police to let them know that either a joyrider or a drunk nearly-homicidal maniac was on the roads and likely to kill someone. I dialled 2202020

So again, I ask you why on earth didn't you dial 999???? Why did you ring the office number?

Let the Police make the decision - you're not qualified. Not doing so is a bit like saying "ooo look at those people waving in that boat - they might be ok but I'll send a letter to the Coastguard just to let them know I saw it." In other words, not dialling 999 is pretty stupid.

Tony-
I already answered your query. I did as requested previously by the police themselves.
Please read posts before insinuating stupidity.
After you've read and clearly understood the posts... insinuate away. ;)

:razz: Cosy

OK Cosy - I'm not nearly as grumpy now as I was this moning when I last posted. :P Was I a bit tetchy?

I still think that you should call 999 though. I must call 999 5/6 times a year and have never had anything other than "thanks - we'll get onto it straight away".

no probs with tetchyness, Tony - I'm the Queen of Tetchy in the mornings:)

I probably will confine calls to 999 in the future, and just not bother to report anything I feel isn't immediately life threatening. I know that sounds a bit huffy and bitter, but my experience so far has been that it simply isn't worthwhile. Which is a pity.

Of course, saying that, no doubt I'll change my mind the minute I see something I believe MUST be dealt with by the authorities :D...and maybe, just maybe, they'll do us proud next time.

So, someone tell me...when do you phone 999, and when do you contact your police station? What's the dividing line?

Joyriders:
Possible burglary in empty house across the street:
Car theft in progress:
Neighbour gone mad but not killing, only causing damage to property:
Little gits on stolen motorcycles at night:

Any ideas? Of course, I have my own, but do they tally with other people's?

Still smiling (and 3 weeks hols coming right up yippee)
Cosy

Look look look... policing has changed since the Dixon of Dock Green days when all the bobbys wore nice blue uniforms and tits on their heads.

Today's policing model is to wander around wearing so much FLOURESCENT YELLOW that everyone is too dazzled to even think of commiting a crime. The phone numbers are just to collect statistics so they can plan the distribution of yellow according to patterns of crime and sunglasses availability.

i can't believe all these comments. i have had to dial the police twice extremely urgently and they have turned up straight away at my door, as well as answering my call quickly. i know there is a problem but you can't stereotype all coppers, its like saying that theyre all racist (relating to the recent news bout manchester police etc). Someone in my immediate family is a cop and iknow they work really hard to help ppl and do their job. there are idiots in all types of work to be fair. theres also the community police who are great in my area (netheredge), they sort out alot of **** thats goin on, i think there should be more community police but thats just my opinion.
this is like the smoking thread, this argument could go on forever!!
mimi

Originally posted by cosywolf
So, someone tell me...when do you phone 999, and when do you contact your police station? What's the dividing line?

Joyriders:
Possible burglary in empty house across the street:
Car theft in progress:
Neighbour gone mad but not killing, only causing damage to property:
Little gits on stolen motorcycles at night:
Cosy
All of the above are 999 for me! They all need the Fuzz to turn up right away, so it's a 999.

PS. It's only 7.15, but I've just run a bath so I'm not so tetchy this morning :thumbsup: :D

We've just recieved a letter stating that our complaint is in the process of being investigated. I'm pleased. Because regardless of what number I called in the panic of the moment, I got through to people who were/should have been more than capable of referring me to the right station/department/or emergency number, and it was the consequential conversation with the police themselves (or the tea woman who answers the phone of an evening at the station) that caused us the most concern. That, and the lack of response to a dangerous situation.

Apparently we can look forward to a visitation from someone in the police department to discuss the matter. I'm pleasantly surprised that they've bothered to look into this...Faith-o-meter starting to rise slightly higher than zero... we'll see how it all pans out.

Once again, I am not trying to disrespect the police. We need them. I'm just concerned that something has gone very wrong recently, and we have not been receiving the kind of support and protection we all need from them. And just shrugging your shoulders and saying 'oh well, they're doing their best' isn't going to help. Bureaucrats, managers, and politicians need to know that we want it changed, and we're not willing to fund topheavy management and ridiculous targets at the expense of police who are given the time and resources to do their job.

Oops, another rant. Never mind, I'll keep this thread updated if anything comes of this investigation.

Good to hear that you're getting somewhere CosyW. They do need our help tho, so don't just ignore stuff like too many people do. I hope that it works out.

Got a visit from a very nice wpc type person this evening (didn't even bat an eyelid at my abysmal attempts at giftwrapping that she'd walked in on). She took a further statement, apologised wholeheartedly for the response we'd recieved (and that the incident wasn't even logged as happening), and is saying that there will be further developments.

It looks like this may well be an issue about assigning 'civilians' to answer calls at Catcliffe, where once it used to be experienced officers (who were no longer on the beat?). She seemed to suggest that the police are as unhappy about the situation as we are, and that if you don't like the idea of clueless people answering the phones and being of very little help, you should let it be known. Which was one of my points...if you don't let on that it hasn't worked for you, the bureaucrats will just assume that it has, and nothing gets changed.

So we'll see how it goes on from here. She said we would most likely get an apology, but we made it clear that we're more concerned about actually getting some kind of useful response next time we have to call for help. It could all be just good PR, but I have to hope that they really do accept that they got it wrong this time, and it's at least a drop in the bucket towards getting things changed for the better.:wink:

Cosy:P

I called the police a few weeks ago to report a young lad in our area who is a known junkie, driving round in a car with no licence, no insurance, no tax and no MOT. He was driving around with young kids in the car, ie.13-15 year old lads and lasses.

I could give the police the drivers name, his address, the make, model and colour of the car and also the area in which he could be found. I was told unless I gave them the reg they couldn't do anything. Even though I told them if they just came into the area and drove around for one night they would find him. I told them I'll call you back when he's seriously hurt or killed somebody.

When I phone the Police to report problems with yobs outside the Spar on Abbeydale Rd South I was put in a Q for 35 mins.

After that a nice operator said that she could not get Woodseats Police out as the system was down, jokingly I said I would give her 50p to put in the power slot to get it working, she replyed that the 50p was worth more than the system.

after having my mobile phone nicked in a pub ... i take CCTV evidence of the crime to west bar station .... i wait for half an hour ...to see numerous people producing driving documents etc i eventually give a statement...explaining in detail which camera footage should be viewed...that was NOV 10th i sit today still waiting for their verdict??? :confused: yet on a weekend away last week i see a mobile speed camera (HIDDEN VAN??) followed by 3 marked cars to give chase to offending motorists??? REASON= EASY MONEY !!!!!!! please investigate proper crimes????

I had my mobile nicked from a taxi, next day after reporting it to crime recoring CID are at my door. BTW don't use abbey taxis.

I had a break in and 2000 quid in cash was stolen the cops showed in about 15 mins. I dialed 999 asked for police then it rang a bit too much so I hang up. Then 10 secs later they call me back. Cops show within 15 mins.

Digging this old thread up, this week's Sheffield Telegraph are reporting that the new Communications Centre at Atlas Court has been closed by the police as a result of these problems.

They're now using their old local control rooms, until Atlas Court's technical problems have been solved.

a friend of mine was receiving abusive text messages on her mobile phone from a family member of her ex-boyfriends. she went to the police and they dismissed it, saying they couldn't do anything about it without positive proof.

as you cannot withold your mobile number when texting, exactly what sort of proof do they need?

Seeing as someone else dragged it all back up...an update on my story. It doesn't get any better...
We have recieved no further updates from the police despite having been promised an apology (didn't get that either). Our community constables have made 3 appointments to meet with residents on the street to discuss their concerns - they have failed to attend any of the meetings. One woman has lost her home to the whole ugly mess.
Saying that, police have been on the street, but from what we can tell by the frequency and hours, they are actually visiting their mates.
Faith at an all time low, we are attending a public meeting in Meersbrook tonight, invited by the community constable, so presuming the police will be there. However, it won't be the place to discuss our problems with them - there are bigger problems, as we're very aware. But I'm hoping to find out what they do actually get done, so that I can feel a bit better about them again.
I WANT to have faith in the police, if they would just give me a little more excuse to.

Cosy:mad: