Lonely elderly lady rings 999

[jonbeeza]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ester-news/hero-bobby-visits-95-year-10424475
On the North West news tonight, an elderly couple ring police because they are lonely. The Policeman who answered the call, did not reprimand them but made them a cuppa. There should be a lot more help for the elderly, as there is not always someone there for them.

The news and police made light of it, but at the same time it could prove a little difficult with police time taken up with calls like this. I wonder if more lonely people would consider ringing the police, learning this?

 

[shreds]

Considering how many pointless calls the Police get from complete time wasters, this must have been a bit of a relief. If they put a charge on calling 999 with reimbursement for genuine calls, the Police might have a lot more time and resources to do their job.

 

[jonbeeza]

Considering how many pointless calls the Police get from complete time wasters, this must have been a bit of a relief. If they put a charge on calling 999 with reimbursement for genuine calls, the Police might have a lot more time and resources to do their job.

I thought there were organisations that the elderly or vulnerable could contact, it is a shame the elderly couple had to resort to ringing the police

 

[shreds]

I thought there were organisations that the elderly or vulnerable could contact, it is a shame the elderly couple had to resort to ringing the police

I entirely agree with you, but do you realise just how huge the volume of 'wasted' calls that are made to the Police that have no relevance to Policing whatsoever?

 

[jonbeeza]

I entirely agree with you, but do you realise just how huge the volume of 'wasted' calls that are made to the Police that have no relevance to Policing whatsoever?

It must be a very great number of course, but not sure the police saw this as a time wasting call. He actually sat with the elderly couple and talked to them, he even made them a cuppa. It was a cry for help in a way, from the elderly couple.

 

[Cg_Girl]

It must be a very great number of course, but not sure the police saw this as a time wasting call. He actually sat with the elderly couple and talked to them, he even made them a cuppa. It was a cry for help in a way, from the elderly couple.

I think that was lovely of him, I know my nan was very lonely when my grandad died, she couldn't cope if I'm honest and would sit on the bottom of the stairs looking out the window at school time waiting for me to arrive for school run as she lived right by the school

 

[BRASH]

Well done to the Police for a pragmatic approach in dealing with this. There are too many officious t***s in uniform it's heartening to see that some (probably most actually) really care. Good on em.

 

[jonbeeza]

I think that was lovely of him, I know my nan was very lonely when my grandad died, she couldn't cope if I'm honest and would sit on the bottom of the stairs looking out the window at school time waiting for me to arrive for school run as she lived right by the school

Well done to the Police for a pragmatic approach in dealing with this. There are too many officious t***s in uniform it's heartening to see that some (probably most actually) really care. Good on em.

At the end of the day, the police are public servants. I am really happy on this occasion he did serve the public A very nice story it was too ..

 

[SarahLee]

It's a lovely story, and full credit to the guy for spending a bit of time with them and making them a cuppa etc.

<cynical hat on> I suspect the media is making a bit more of the fluffy bunnies aspect than there actually was though.
The reality is that the officer in question wouldn't have made the decision on whether to attend off his own back - he would have gone where he was sent.
And while the lady may have dialed 999 because she was 'lonely', the 999 operator most likely sent someone out to do a welfare check because the call triggered concerns about the caller's physical or mental wellbeing.
As nice as it would be (or indeed wasteful, depending on your side of the fence) I simply don't believe that this was about giving an elderly couple a bit of company, no matter which way you spin it.

. . . and now that I've burst the happy bubble, I'll take my little raincloud back to the corner - sorry guys

 

[neil_g]

I entirely agree with you, but do you realise just how huge the volume of 'wasted' calls that are made to the Police that have no relevance to Policing whatsoever?

It is sad that the police seem to be expected to be social workers these days.

But good on the officer for checking in on lady. Its sad that she'd dropped off of everyone's radar..

 

[jonbeeza]

I think that was lovely of him, I know my nan was very lonely when my grandad died, she couldn't cope if I'm honest and would sit on the bottom of the stairs looking out the window at school time waiting for me to arrive for school run as she lived right by the school

A lot of people tend to forget about the elderly, it is worth remembering some of us may be in that position one day. Although I do love my own company, not sure what I will be like in a few more years to come. But I have got you lot to keep me company ...Not that old really

 

[Cg_Girl]

A lot of people tend to forget about the elderly, it is worth remembering some of us may be in that position one day. Although I do love my own company, not sure what I will be like in a few more years to come. But I have got you lot to keep me company ...Not that old really

Haha!!

You're right they do and it's a shame because they can tell so many interesting stories.
I like my own company too but I think once you get to the really old stage it must be a bit different, especially those who've been with their spouses for a million years and then have to face the loneliness

 

[jonbeeza]

It's a lovely story, and full credit to the guy for spending a bit of time with them and making them a cuppa etc.

<cynical hat on> I suspect the media is making a bit more of the fluffy bunnies aspect than there actually was though.
The reality is that the officer in question wouldn't have made the decision on whether to attend off his own back - he would have gone where he was sent.
And while the lady may have dialed 999 because she was 'lonely', the 999 operator most likely sent someone out to do a welfare check because the call triggered concerns about the caller's physical or mental wellbeing.
As nice as it would be (or indeed wasteful, depending on your side of the fence) I simply don't believe that this was about giving an elderly couple a bit of company, no matter which way you spin it.

. . . and now that I've burst the happy bubble, I'll take my little raincloud back to the corner - sorry guys

My missus is disabled and we live in a purpose built flat for the disabled, a few years ago when I was on a night shift at work, my missus phoned the police because she heard a noise outside. As she was on the phone she realised something had fallen on the veranda with the strong wind, she told the operator this who thanked her and said that's fine and not to worry about ringing them. In less than ten minutes there were two police vans and cars outside, with police everywhere. The whole of the building was surrounded by police and they came in to check nobody had gotten in.

They must have been aware the building was for disabled, but it was a good response from the police that night

 

[cambsno]

A lot of people tend to forget about the elderly, it is worth remembering some of us may be in that position one day. Although I do love my own company, not sure what I will be like in a few more years to come. But I have got you lot to keep me company ...Not that old really

It something that will get worse as people live longer and have smaller, and more distant families. I saw that with my Nan, she used to look after elderly relatives but when she was alone she only had me (and a couple of distant relatives many miles away) so found it hard that she was on her own a lot. At the time I was commuting to London and have 2 young kids too. I really do think that we should do more with schools to get kids to visit the elderly (although these days they would probably need to be CRB checked 1st!!) or even offer responsible people who have found themselves homeless free accommodation in sheltered housing in exchange for providing company.

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

How can a couple be lonely? Don't they talk? Could understand it if there was only one of them.
Was good of the police to make them a cuppa though.