Hartlepool woman told to wait FOUR days to see police after assault
21-year-old Jamie-Lee Sickling suffered facial injuries after the alleged assault on Tuesday last week.
A Hartlepool woman says she had to wait four days to see police after being attacked in a dark car park.
Jamie-Lee Sickling suffered facial injuries after the alleged attack at Wolviston services on Tuesday last week.
She claims just before 9:50pm a dangerous driver, who'd been tailing her, gestured for her to enter the services.
Upset about his driving, Miss Sickling says she wanted to talk to him, but claims he began to get violent, allegedly attacking the 21-year-old and her boyfriend Robert Brown.
The man fled the scene and Miss Sickling and Mr Brown made their way to a nearby pub for help with their injuries.
The victim's mother called the police 15 minutes after the incident took place and the family were told someone could call the following day.
Miss Sickling received treatment at hospital for a suspected broken nose and facial injuries.
The family did receive a phone call, but it was to book an appointment for Saturday morning, another three days away.
Miss Sickling's father Mark Sickling spoke to TFM and says the whole family have been left shocked at the delayed response to a violent attack.
He said: "I'm astonished, disappointed, I feel let down.
"My wife is in bits because we feel in a state of helplessness.
"This guy I'm sure is walking around not bothered.
"I can't concentrate at work, my wife broke down in tears again last night.
"The whole thing is very very upsetting and we are so disappointed in the police.
"I'm trying to find out information, effectively I'm doing the police's job, which any parent would do.
"I can't believe it to be honest."
Jamie-Lee will attend hospital today to see if her nose has been broken as suspected.
A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Prioritisation of police attendance at incidents is based on threat, harm and risk.
"When the initial call came in regarding this incident, the assault had taken place around fifteen minutes prior and all of those involved had left the scene.
"It was therefore deemed that there was little threat, harm and risk to the victims at that specific time. “The caller was re-contacted the following day and an appointment was made for an officer to attend and take statements on Saturday 2nd April following a period of high demand over the Easter bank holiday weekend. “Cleveland Police Incident Crime Management Team recorded the crime and in the meantime, CCTV enquiries were carried out and scenes of crime officers attended to take photographs of their injuries so that evidence was not lost. “A complaint has been received by Cleveland Police and the matter is being looked into.”
Last year, the force introduced the Incident Crime Management Team, which is designed to deal with more crimes over the phone.
This was in a bid to get more bobbies back on the beat and handle low-level crimes more effectively.