Recording Telephone Calls For The Purpose Of Crime Detection

[Crazy Dog]

Not a NFH problem - this could end up being far worse.

I have a friend who is in the process of divorcing her husband.

He is extremely controlling and abusive. As he now lives in another town much, but not all, of this abuse is verbal via the phone.

A few nights ago he made many phone calls spanning around an hour and including threats to kill. Some of these calls were recorded but the police refuse to even listen to them. They say they cannot be used in evidence as the caller was not warned that he was being recorded. They also insist that no crime has been committed as the abusive calls reported cover only a one hour time period and are a single event. :angry:

Surely this is not correct?

Does anyone have experience of this sort? This lady is vulnerable and, I suspect, is at serious risk of physical harm yet the police will do nothing to advise her. They have even told her she cannot change the locks as the marital home has his name on the deeds - not hers - and that he has a right of entry any time he wants. :angry:

[filly]

Is she with BT if so they have a special unit to deal with type of call and the police know this.

They can offer various support from change of number, to intercepting calls and also along with the police tracing and using calls for evidence.

I can't remember the name of the unit but if she rings the operator on 100 and says she is receiving abusive calls and death threats and asks for the section that deals with this they will connect her.

I think you used to get an assigned contact not sure if this will have changed with their restructuring though.

Hope this helps, the sooner she rings them the quicker they will sort out the available options for her.

[Domestic Goddess]

Another option is to buy an answering machine...she could screen her calls and her husband would know he is being recorded if he is stupid emough to leave nasty messages.

Poor woman.

BT Malicious Calls Bureau on 0800 661 441 (24hrs, 7 days a week)


Women's Aid
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
www.womensaid.org.uk


Refuge
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
www.refuge.org.uk
Refuge is the UK's largest single provider of safe accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence

National Domestic Violence Helpline
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
A 24-hour freephone number which provides access to emergency refuge accommodation, as well as an information service. It joins together the Women’s Aid Federation helpline and the Refuge National Crisis Line in a single service

[Domestic Goddess]

I forgot to say that I am FURIOUS that the police aren't aking this seriously! If the lasy needs some support, we are always here. I know it's really a NFH problem, but we can advise on things like CCTV etc.

Are there any children involved?

[StoneHenge]

This is very worrying CD. Your friend sounds vulnerable and the police should be giving her advice even if they can't strictly do anything yet.

You've had some good tips, but I just also wanted to express my anger with this. If there are any children involved, their safety should be paramount. Her safety is so important.

I hope she gets some help soon. Hopefully she has chains on the door etc?

[Planet 24]

Not so CD

Had the same thing happen from one of the main perpetrators of crime, asking to speak to my OH by name, like you do I said 'not here at the moment can I take a message', they then asked me if I was alone, and that I should be very careful to keep away from my windows, bad things could happen to me. etc. I taped the conversation and the police were called and listened to it and said they would contact the nuisance calls division of BT and ask for my calls to be monitored.

So they can take action when they want to and this was only 2 years ago.

I also had occasion to have my calls intercepted by the exchange some years before - due to working on a very well known case - I was getting a lot of threats about reporting on it etc.

The exchange, changed my number (you can change up to 3 times without charge within a year I believe) made it ex- directory and withholds it from the exchange for me automatically as the police do. The only bugbear of that is that those who don't take number withheld calls can't accept mine and there is nothing I can do about it.
But the short answer to your question is they have a duty to investigate nuisance calls - no matter the circumstances. Get on to BT to confirm this.

[Crazy Dog]

Thanks for the responses.

I've already passed on womensaid (and the helpline number) and she has been in touch with them. They are appalled that the police have said she has no rights.

Not a BT line but the service provider must have some sort of abuse support. Changing the number is definitely not an option though. Why should she? The threatening calls are thought to have been from her step-daughter and step-daughter's friends. She's too stupid not to make it a regular event so it should soon get taken seriously.

I got a call, today, to help her with something. Her ex was in town and came to drop some of the paperwork off that he'd taken from her. What I (and others) heard was civil enough but he would have seen my car on her brother's drive opposite so knew witnesses were around.

As a bonus she did get a letter from the police acknowledging the Domestic Abuse incident (not 'alleged domestic abuse') so they are paying attention.

Hopefully things are starting to fall into place and she'll be able to get on with her life soon.

[Crazy Dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Planet 24 @ 5th March 2007 - 2:28 PM) 242173</div>Not so CD

Had the same thing happen from one of the main perpetrators of crime, asking to speak to my OH by name, like you do I said 'not here at the moment can I take a message', they then asked me if I was alone, and that I should be very careful to keep away from my windows, bad things could happen to me. etc. I taped the conversation and the police were called and listened to it and said they would contact the nuisance calls division of BT and ask for my calls to be monitored.

So they can take action when they want to and this was only 2 years ago.[/b]

I think you've hit the nail on the head. They can take action if they want to. It'll take a few attempts to have the right officer attend in the right mood ...

Sorry to keep adding to this - I guess it's just got me so pi$$ed off.

I read the leaflet the police included with their letter. I was astonished to find telling someone what to wear is abusive.

So, if my SO asks me "Does my b*m look big in this?" and I agree that it does - am I guilty of abuse or just plain reckless personal self-endangerment. :lol: :blink:

[Planet 24]

Keep the pressure up - they are duty bound to investigate - no matter what they say. Just another excuse of passing the buck.
Youre right you shouldn't have to change your number - I did because my children were very small at the time and I didn't want to run the risk of them picking up the threats from those psycho's.

In the most recent instance - I didnt change my number at all - just had my calls intercepted. I gave a list of the numbers that I knew to be 'safe' to BT and any that were not on the list were challenged held on the line and then I was asked if i wanted to take the call. Most nutters cry off when challenged so it soon stopped.

However i still have my number automatically withheld at the Exchange - I don't need to use 141 before I ring out.

I have no doubt though, mine wouldn't have been investigated if I hadn't been in the media and knew the ropes - i too would have been fobbed off, as most of us are.

There is certainly a two tier system of law enforcement in this country, trouble is you don't know it exists until you become part of it!

[coppernob]

Surely any threat to kill should be taken seriously :angry: Agree, the Police can deal with this.I'd get her to visit a station and ask for someone more senior and put it in writing about the threat. If I had death threats,I wouldn't think twice about changing my phone number,it's not a case of why the hell should she,i'd just be worried about my saftey.Hope she gets this sorted,CN