Harassment

[Lost in France]

I appreciate that any replies to this can only be conjecture but would appreciate any comments.

Two or three weeks ago, my 12 year old grandson was 'bothered' by a middle aged man making remarks to him.

This has occurred on the bus on the way home from school & in the street.

My daughter reported this to their local County police who took a statement, said they couldn't do anything about it as no physical contact had been made & that my grandson should take a different route home from school, which isn't possible.

The man has approached my grandson a couple of times since, again no physical contact, been reported to the local police, 'nothing they can do'.

My daughter received a phone call out of the blue from the Metropolitan Police asking if they could put my grandson under surveillance in case this man approaches him again.

My questions are:

I

[devil3682]

What are your questions?

It sounds very unusual the Met ringing to ask if they can put him under surveillance this would be done by the local force if it was something that was being considered. If met officers were being used I would expect the local force to come and see your daughter in person to discuss the plan of action.

[Lost in France]

Sorry, not sure what happened to my questions, they were:

Can the Police do nothing in such circumstances ?

Why would the Met be interested, if the local force aren't ?

[Lost in France]

It sounds very unusual the Met ringing to ask if they can put him under surveillance this would be done by the local force if it was something that was being considered. If met officers were being used I would expect the local force to come and see your daughter in person to discuss the plan of action.

It all seemed a bit rushed because of the start of the school holidays, the Met phoned on Tuesday & he broke up from school on Thursday.

He will be over with us for almost all of the holidays & the Met did say they would resume any surveilance in September.

They did also tell my daughter not to tell him anything.

[TIMMY]

Obviously the action taken would depend on what this man has done to "bother" your grandson - you don't go in to detail, and I wouldn't expect you to, but I would've thought some action should be taken even if it's relatively "low-level" behaviour.

The interest of another force suggests that they have an interest in this man. I would speak again to the local force and advise them the Met have been in contact (chances are they are probably already aware) and ask why. I'd recommend attending the station in person to do this, rather than over the phone.

[busterbloodvessel]

I don't want to be condescending, just covering all the angles: You say all contact with the Met has been by telephone, how has it been verified that the person who phoned your sister is indeed from the Met? Have they given a callback switchboard number or anything?

[GymRat]

Ah.... The new Met motto....

"Sticking our noses into county forces business since 1829"

[busterbloodvessel]

Lol! To be fair I think we're far better placed to mess up the locals' operations!!