Solicitor Help with Harassment

[greyfur]

Now, when is a scam not a scam? I would like to bring this to others attention, especially those who may be elderly and/or vulnerable. To carry on from the further posts, the victim was visited by a police officer. A week or so later, they received a mysterious phone call from a male who said they were from the Fire Service and would like to pay them a visit to do a Fire Safety check. They asked if the victim had had a visit from a Police officer (victim said yes), as the police had asked them to call them, although they had not written down the reason why. The caller asked the victim about their property: was it a bungalow, a house, etc. Did they have fire and carbon monoxide alarms? The victim was suspicious and told them that they did not want a visit and the caller said they would delete their details and they could forget it. The victim was left feeling worried and anxious and concerned that this was a scam call that could be used on others and put them at risk. So they reported it to the police station. An officer took the number; looked at a computer and said it was a scam call and thanked them for reporting it. The victim traced the number online and someone else had had a call from them and reported that they were a police officer and the county they resided in!!! Further on, the victim contacted the anti-social behaviour department of their council. A community safety officer would contact them to help. Victim has discovered the officer works for their police station and is based at the local Fire Station. Well, would you believe it?!!! You couldn't make it up, as they say. The victim received a phone call after contacting the council and missed the call. Apparently the caller withheld their number. I believe there is a high percentage of the population who do not have faith in the Police and maybe some of you have heard coverage in the news of the behaviour of some of those working in the Fire Service. I am sorry if this post is inappropriate for this site, but I do not want others to be victims of scams of any sort, whether this was one, or not.

[greyfur]

Following on. The community safety officer unexpectedly turned up at the victim's home and they let them in. They were told that the PSCO who had seen them months ago, had asked them to visit. The safety officer asked lots of questions and disbelieved a lot of what the victim was telling them and STILL saying they could not do anything about the harassment they are receiving from others. The victim became increasingly annoyed because the officer began asking them questions about their social life and what did they actually do all day. Did they have any family and friends nearby? Etc. Is this really appropriate? The victim strongly believes that their neighbours are now watching their every move and helping the Police by reporting on their movements and behaviour. The victim has health conditions which means they sometimes do not leave their home for a few days. Neighbours have noted this and the victim believed that is why the officer asked them what they did all day. Eventually, the victim showed the officer the door and told them they were putting in a complaint about the Police. Once again, the victim has been left upset and concerned for the impact on their health. They wish they had never let the officer into their home. They do not want to have any more to do with the Police or anyone associated with them. They feel they now have their claws into them and will not leave them alone. Can they ask the Police to forget they exist? A previous reply suggested the victim moved and this seems to be the answer, but it would be almost impossible for them to do so. Another previous reply advised the victim to tell the neighbours to "back off" and mind their own business. They tried this and it wasn't taken kindly. Advice gratefully received.

[greyfur]

Help please. The victim now knows that someone has labelled her as mentally ill and vulnerable and notified the neighbourhood and community about her. She even received a letter from her doctor's surgery, asking her to attend a yearly health review and fill in a care plan sheet with the help of her carer or someone who looks after her when she is unwell. It is all nonsense. She doesn't have a carer and looks after herself and her home. She recently went out for a walk very early one morning when few people were around. She got home and opened a couple of windows, only to see a neighbour spying on her from HER window and talking to someone on her mobile phone. This has happened several times when she has been out and seen someone see her, reach for their phone and make a message. She is definitely being stalked by a group of people as if they have been told that she needs looking out for. It is making her life hell. She has now seen some neighbours pointing fingers at this one particular neighbour's property, as if to say that she is to blame for this. It appears this woman is some kind of frustrated social worker and a busy body who has a lot to do with community groups. The victim has overheard her gossiping about other people and laying down the law of what is right in someone's life and what isn't. The victim said in a loud voice so she could hear: "She wants to concentrate on her own life instead of mine." But I said she probably thinks you are having a "mental moment."! How can the victim get these people to see that she is perfectly okay and to leave her alone? Advice please.

[greyfur]

I think I have finally found an answer to this. The victim was once helped by Social Services and this was just for a few months. Because of the harassment, a neighbour told them that Social Services were keeping their "eye" on them. The victim contacted Social Services to see if this was true and they said, no. They did say though, that they have a responsibility to make sure an individual in the community who is in need of care, is kept safe. I have read that the The Care Act 2014 covers this, so that the individual is kept safe from risk of abuse or neglect. The victim says that this would explain why they are being watched 24/7. Apparently, Social Services ask certain people in a community to undertake this job: such as NHS workers, etc. The problem is, the victim does not NEED this and wants it stopped. They are independent and do not receive care. Their doctor wrote to Social Services and asked if they were doing this and they said they were not. How can the victim get it stopped? Do others who have care needs experience this? Advice please.