Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

[bigbigproblems]

I've spoken to bluebottle about a recent theft of my bag with an expensive camera in it. No violence was used and I didn't even realise it was stolen til after it happened.

I've just had a call from the Police saying they are coming tonight. I feel sick, by stomache is twisting and I generally feel horrible.

I've done nothing wrong, but I somehow associate the Police with something to be scared off. I'm more writing this to get my mind off it. I think it's from back in my 18/19/20 year old days when we would go out and get stupidly drunk and then quite rightly/fairly get a good slap when we played up and wake up aching.

Anyone else feel like this when they have to deal with the Police? Is it normal?

[Celestine]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Yes, totally normal! Its a bit like how you feel when you get pulled over in your car....you're sure they are looking for something wrong.

[Amethyst]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Completely normal, well would be for me, but just because I'm ridiculously shy and unconfident. I've had the police round quite a bit this year since a burglary or two and seriously they were so lovely and down to earth.

They're only people, and when you're not being the ruffian they're actually pretty alright. I'm sure it will go fine and you'll get your witness statement done and have a cup of tea and you'll wonder what you were so worried about.

Let us know how you go, and sorry to hear of the theft of your bag - horrible when your personal things are stolen xx

[MissFM]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Definitely I would echo what Cel and Ame say above.

I was always scared of the police - and to a certain extent my generation was programmed to be so - but they have been incredibly (way beyond the call of duty) kind to us (my family) in our hours of extreme need when all the agencies designed specifically to help failed us.

Take heart - they may or may not be able to achieve anything in your situation but they will want to help!:tinysmile_kiss_t4:

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Don't know whats wrong with my guys - I'm actually really confident. I've worked in sales for gods sake.

And I've even worked WITH the Police before. In a limited way at the Olympics.

But I've got this panic going through me - and it feels like I'm going to look like I've done something wrong because I'm nervous.

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Definitely I would echo what Cel and Ame say above.

I was always scared of the police - and to a certain extent my generation was programmed to be so - but they have been incredibly (way beyond the call of duty) kind to us (my family) in our hours of extreme need when all the agencies designed specifically to help failed us.

Take heart - they may or may not be able to achieve anything in your situation but they will want to help!:tinysmile_kiss_t4:

They might be coming to say they have got my stuff back... But they might not. I'll know in a bit I'm sure. They were meant to be here at 8!

[MissFM]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

They might be coming to say they have got my stuff back... But they might not. I'll know in a bit I'm sure. They were meant to be here at 8!

Fingers (everything!) crossed for you, BBP. xx

[MissFM]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Don't know whats wrong with my guys - I'm actually really confident. I've worked in sales for gods sake.

And I've even worked WITH the Police before. In a limited way at the Olympics.

But I've got this panic going through me - and it feels like I'm going to look like I've done something wrong because I'm nervous.

BBP - you've said before that the unjust carp you've been through has affected your mental health - what you're describing is very familiar to me and it's more to do with how your coping mechanism has gone into overdrive than a reflection of anything to fear.

Deep breaths, cup of tea, find something to make you laugh xx

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Thanks guys - still no one has come. It's saturday night so I know they will by busy. But every time I hear a car my heart jumps a beat. It's all just a bit pathetic haha.

Am wondering what time they will come and how long it will take though. I've started an Open University degree, and last night didn't sleep to get a tma done. So I'm actually in a state going from panic to exhaustion.

At this moment in time I'd be happy to be dragged to Police station and allowed to sleep and then get to sit next to a solicitor. As I said I've not done anything wrong, (apart from give questionable advice on here!) but I'm just now realising how much I've changed/weakened as a person. It's shocking to see something like this in such a way.

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

There are a couple of things that come to mind, BBP. The items that were stolen are classed as "high value" items. If the value is over £200, they may require a Statement of Loss. On the other hand, they may have caught someone with items similar to those stolen from you. If this is the case, then it would be to identify the items to confirm whether or not they are those stolen from you.

Keep an open mind, but please don't be afraid of the police.

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

There are a couple of things that come to mind, BBP. The items that were stolen are classed as "high value" items. If the value is over £200, they may require a Statement of Loss. On the other hand, they may have caught someone with items similar to those stolen from you. If this is the case, then it would be to identify the items to confirm whether or not they are those stolen from you.

Keep an open mind, but please don't be afraid of the police.

Thanks Mate.

I appreciated your advice via PM.

I've never been afraid off the Police, and have worked with them relatively closedly during the olympics and during some other stuff I did in the Army which I don't want to go into here.

However without winging I've been through some stuff recently which has sort of knocked me out. I was one of those people who never thought I'd have any sort of mental health problems. And then one moment I just couldn't get out of bed in the morning. At least in the short term it's changed me as a person.

Fingers crossed they can get my stuff back! We are talking over £4k so if they do I'll be on here filling the page with smilies! As I said to you via PM it is quite rare stuff, so maybe me going to all the local stores has paid off! That's actually relaxed me a bit!

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Thanks Mate.

I appreciated your advice via PM.

I've never been afraid off the Police, and have worked with them relatively closedly during the olympics and during some other stuff I did in the Army which I don't want to go into here.

However without winging I've been through some stuff recently which has sort of knocked me out. I was one of those people who never thought I'd have any sort of mental health problems. And then one moment I just couldn't get out of bed in the morning. At least in the short term it's changed me as a person.

Fingers crossed they can get my stuff back! We are talking over £4k so if they do I'll be on here filling the page with smilies! As I said to you via PM it is quite rare stuff, so maybe me going to all the local stores has paid off! That's actually relaxed me a bit!

With a value in excess of £4,000, it is not something they can ignore. There are procedures within the police service as regards the action to be taken with thefts and burglaries which are governed by the value and sometimes the nature of items stolen. Circulating the flyer I suggested to local secondhand shops asap after a theft has occurred can, sometimes, produce results, but not always. But in view of the fact that the items are not the sort of thing you can buy over the counter at Argos, they are going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb at Cash Converters.

The mental health issue you have experienced is not unusual following an incident of the nature you were involved in. I suspect it is delayed shock. If it persists, see your GP.

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

With a value in excess of £4,000, it is not something they can ignore. There are procedures within the police service as regards the action to be taken with thefts and burglaries which are governed by the value and sometimes the nature of items stolen. Circulating the flyer I suggested to local secondhand shops asap after a theft has occurred can, sometimes, produce results, but not always. But in view of the fact that the items are not the sort of thing you can buy over the counter at Argos, they are going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb at Cash Converters.

The mental health issue you have experienced is not unusual following an incident of the nature you were involved in. I suspect it is delayed shock. If it persists, see your GP.

Thanks - just had a call from a Sergeant (who was a really nice bloke). Basically it all comes down to how they record it - as I wasn't touched when my stuff was stolen it's a theft, and had been flagged on their system as a robbery. So no one is coming out now. They want me to give a statement over the phone and the local team will bring it around for me to sign.

Sadly none of my stuff has been found. However I've taken time to look at my insurance policy today, and it doesn't say that violence has to be used. So I will attempt to put a claim in. However it does sat your stuff has to not be left unattended - so it will depend if they see my bag being left next to me being classified as being unattended.

Being the terminal sad case I am, I have been looking at the ombudsman rulings and I think I might be in with a chance.

Overall - my heart rate has now returned to normal. Which is only a good thing.

Btw bluebell - I've actually been referred to counselling for PTSD. I never felt like this affected me. But a lot of guys are now starting to be affected by this a few years after. I hope I am wrong, but this could be tidal wave in terms of cases coming the NHS's way. I originally thought it was just stress related to my job situation and other problems, but it seems like when one door opens it open's the floodgates. Sadly I already have a few friends who have not been able to cope and have gone into an early grave due to this - if the government scrimp and save and let the rest of the guys down now I don't think the armed forces will ever forgive them.

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Post Traumatic Stress can follow a violent attack, road traffic collision, or incident that has left you shaken. It can also affect those who witness such incidents, which is why a lot of soldiers, returning from places like Afghanistan, are suffering PTSD. It can following shortly after an incident or can lie buried in a person's psyche for years before it resurfaces. The mind has a way of protecting itself and bringing back traumatic incidents when the mind is ready to deal with it. Some cope better than others.

A good clinical psychologist can be worth their weight in gold and show you how to cope with it through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Medication can help, but all it does is mask the problem, leading to the patient needing increasingly larger doses to have any effect.

[des8]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Hi
Sorry to hear of your problems, but regarding loss of "unattended" does your policy define "unattended"?
I assume you do have "All risks" cover (a misnomer if ever!)
As a general rule "unattended" means you are not close enough to prevent the theft happening, although some will argue for "in plain sight".
Some insurers (not all) will argue that as you did not notice the theft the items were unattended, but of course one does not notice a proficient pickpocket removing a wallet from your inside pocket so that argument is to be challenged.
If you could post up what insurer and what policy I'll look for a copy online to see if I can help further.