Police smash way into man's home while he was in hospital (From York Press)

I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

Securely boarded up? It looks as though anyone could gain access in a couple of minutes.

sheps lad wrote:
Securely boarded up? It looks as though anyone could gain access in a couple of minutes.

Looks the strongest part of the door in my opinion. Considering the rest is just glass.

Feel for the police in this.... Dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

They cannot be expected to check every hospital in the country.

Big Bad Wolf wrote:
Feel for the police in this.... Dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

They cannot be expected to check every hospital in the country.

I agree. Would he rather they hadn't bothered to check up on him? There would have been hell to pay if he'd been lying there injured or worse and the police hadn't done anything about it.

So long as the police repair the door properly, and not just a poor patch up job I don't see the problem.

The police entered with the best of intentions and I'd hope they'd do it again if they feared of the welfare of anyone.

Again, they do need to get the door repaired properly though, or if its too badly damaged provide a replacement.

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

I agree that the police acted in good faith, and it is lovely that Mr Eggleton has such concerned neighbours in this day and age. All that was needed perhaps, is a system from the police that when this happens they automatically contact a glazier to do a proper repair urgently, and leave a note to advise the householder. There should be no requirement whatsoever for the householder to write to anyone. I think that is the real difficulty here.

Hope he makes a good recovery and that he realises that a temporary broken pane is a small price to pay for good citizenship.

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

Thank goodness the armed response didnt get involved.

Ungrateful old fool. Why did nt he let friends and neighbours know that he was going into hospital then this would nt have happened.
When I leave my house I let neighbours know so that they can keep the letter box clear etc AND I let the police know so they can keep an eye on it etc.
Totally agree with other comments, imagine if he had been laid inside and the police did not respond

It looks as if there wasn't a burglery. What made the neighbour and the police think there was?
Sometimes people that mean well can cause more trouble with the best of intentions (maybe) as in this case.

amazed at all the posts praising the plod.thats not a repair its a dog rough bodge up job.the police should have the know how to enter a property without smashing down the door.get a burglar on the job.

The police did the damage but with good intent seeking to establish the occupant was ok.So far so good. The officers concerned will have had to submit a report about it and that should be the only report necessary to have the damage fully repaired. To ask Mr. Eggleton to submit a report should be totally unnecessary and is an example of the silly amounts of bureaucracy the Police have to put up with. Julia Mulligan PCC please note and ensure that acts like this do not build up reams of unnecessary paperwork.

The police were concerned about his health so they acted, the man will end up with a nice new door so I really don't see what the problem is, I would be thanking them.

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

As someone who had a relative who had died in their home, I was glad that a concerned neighbour called the police and they found the body before it was left too long, and then found details of relatives to contact. This is just moaning for moanings sake, the police did everything with the best intentions and he should be grateful; not moan to this rag, who then give give it column inches.

CHISSY1 wrote:

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

Actually, I think he is very clever and definitely one of the better posters on this site. Keeps me entertained.
As for the story above, well done to the police, there would have been an outcry if some poor old person had passed away unnoticed and lain there for weeks on end. No case to answer in my opinion.

WHAT IF the NHS were able to inform local govt carers, Help The Aged AND Police via single email to 3 recipients, or even a call to a community rep on each?

Thereby negating the police ringing around the UK;

'Dear Fuzz (etc), Mr/ Mrs Bloggs of 22 Whatever Street + postcode is in this hospital, please be advised should you receive any calls receiving this address. Kisses, NHS Support Bod.'

Would that be too easy? Might be too much for the NHS to do and no doubt they'd make a hash of it.

Hang-on...I hear cries of privacy, data protection, HRA, Liberty, it's not our job blah blah blah...I think James Alexander should resign over this too.

Hope he gets a nice new door though...the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Capt. Dobie wrote:
WHAT IF the NHS were able to inform local govt carers, Help The Aged AND Police via single email to 3 recipients, or even a call to a community rep on each?

Thereby negating the police ringing around the UK;

'Dear Fuzz (etc), Mr/ Mrs Bloggs of 22 Whatever Street + postcode is in this hospital, please be advised should you receive any calls receiving this address. Kisses, NHS Support Bod.'

Would that be too easy? Might be too much for the NHS to do and no doubt they'd make a hash of it.

Hang-on...I hear cries of privacy, data protection, HRA, Liberty, it's not our job blah blah blah...I think James Alexander should resign over this too.

Hope he gets a nice new door though...the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I think NHS staff have got enough to do, they can`t be expected to babysit people`s homes now.

CHISSY1 wrote:

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote: I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

Why don't you have a single nice word to say to anyone?

If someone had died there would'nt be anything else for them to worry about and nobody could do anything for them.

If the police had given this mans name and adress at the hopital they could have looked at his records on their computer and found out that he was in hospital or even who is GP was who would have known where he was.

Yorkie41 wrote:
If the police had given this mans name and adress at the hopital they could have looked at his records on their computer and found out that he was in hospital or even who is GP was who would have known where he was.

You still haven't realised how appalling computer systems are when it comes to this sort of thing?

With personal security in mind, it's always good to tell your direct neighbours you are going into hospital. Give them a number where a spare key is held (just in case of utilities issues)

We need to build communities that support each other, because any other way is not guaranteed. It's good that one of his neighbours was concerned enough to make that call and I hope they don't feel too bad about this situation, or the police.

Buzz Light-year wrote:

CHISSY1 wrote:

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote: I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

Why don't you have a single nice word to say to anyone?

"If paid attention the only people that i am not nice to are the posters who do nothing but criticize,complain and attempt to know everything but know nothing".

Chissy1...you have missed yourself of that list !

Why could he not of phoned the police to let them know he was going in to hospital and ask them to keep a check on his house

Local Hospitals do not know if some one who is on a none local hospital waiting list for treatment when that treatment is going to be carried out

The police have a duty of care to the public They do not do full repair to the door till the owner is back till so the owner can sign the work off as been done to there satisfaction as this may require replacing the door and locks on the door

There would be nothing worse that coming home and finding and you can not get in to your home

He probably wont get a "nice new door"
He will more likely get a cheap and nasty one.

It is about time people like 'The end 'of the world' were banned from writing such comments that are not useful to anyone. I hope you never need the assistance of the police !

CHISSY1 wrote:

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

Pot calling kettle grimy ar**e

CHISSY1 wrote:

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote: I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

Perhaps because he is funny, witty, satirical and unlike you does not make derogatory remarks to fellow posters.

Glad to see you are out trolling again Chissy - most of the time you only appear on this site to have a go at Pete.

As for the gent in question, I think anyone returning home from cancer treatment would be alarmed and distressed to find their house insecure. Some of the remarks on here are too harsh towards him.

I agree that it is good that someone reported that they had not seen him for a while. However, the said good samaritan presumably does not check in with him on a regular basis because if he or she did, then they would know that he was going into hospital.

It also appears that at least some people did know that he was going into hospital because his "lady friend" called the police when posting something thru' the door, thinking that he had been burgled.

At the end of the day NYP have access to his NHS number - the local hospital would have his NHS number which in turn would identify his GP. Anyone living in the York area would know that there are many treatments that are not offered by YDH and therefore require trips to Leeds, Hull or Newcastle. You would have thought that NYP would have spent 15 minutes on the telephone tracking down his GP before going and kicking in his front door.

And as for NYP requiring him to make a report to HQ - come on NYP - he shouldn't have to. You have made a mistake and now you should be putting it right.

"It looks as if there wasn't a burglery. What made the neighbour and the police think there was?"

A neighbour phoned the police, then a friend visited and thought the police damage had been caused by a burglary.

Frenchlife wrote:
It is about time people like 'The end 'of the world' were banned from writing such comments that are not useful to anyone. I hope you never need the assistance of the police !

Why don't you like free speech ?

Murphy_the_Spangle wrote:

CHISSY1 wrote:

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

"Why do you make up such stupid, pathetic rubbish,attention seeking again?."

Get a sense of humour!! Life's too short to be miserable. Pete the Brickie's post made me and I suspect quite a few others, a good laugh. It was witty and it was clean!

"Trying his best to get people on his side to constantly criticize the police because because he thinks he was the "victim" of injustice,that is a laugh, isn't it Pete".

Frenchlife: what's wrong with theendof theworld's original comment, first in this thread - are you confusing that with some of the later facetious comments quoting it?

Capt. Dobie wrote:
WHAT IF the NHS were able to inform local govt carers, Help The Aged AND Police via single email to 3 recipients, or even a call to a community rep on each?

Thereby negating the police ringing around the UK;

'Dear Fuzz (etc), Mr/ Mrs Bloggs of 22 Whatever Street + postcode is in this hospital, please be advised should you receive any calls receiving this address. Kisses, NHS Support Bod.'

Would that be too easy? Might be too much for the NHS to do and no doubt they'd make a hash of it.

Hang-on...I hear cries of privacy, data protection, HRA, Liberty, it's not our job blah blah blah...I think James Alexander should resign over this too.

Hope he gets a nice new door though...the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Then the information would be 'leaked' / 'sold' and the real criminals would be able to break in.

Angry&Frustrated says, "At the end of the day NYP have access to his NHS number - the local hospital would have his NHS number which in turn would identify his GP. Anyone living in the York area would know that there are many treatments that are not offered by YDH and therefore require trips to Leeds, Hull or Newcastle. You would have thought that NYP would have spent 15 minutes on the telephone tracking down his GP before going and kicking in his front door.

And as for NYP requiring him to make a report to HQ - come on NYP - he shouldn't have to. You have made a mistake and now you should be putting it right.” EXACTLY so. I think the Police should have spent 15 mins doing, idk "detective" work, but there you are. We are after all a massive city.
On the other hand, good on them for busting in. I have studied forensic cases where no one finds the person for YEARS. Oh my.
Finally, Pete the Brickie should have a column, better than this non story, but being on the team would likely be too 'establishment' for Pete. (who's comments re: untethered horses a few mos back STILL make me laugh at odd times.) (Uncool in public but there you go.)
The cops should not make this fellow write anyone anywhere at all. They broke it, they fix it. Well meaning and etc notwithstanding.

Thanks for the support oldgeezer. Frenchlife certainly got it wrong!

Frenchlife wrote:
It is about time people like 'The end 'of the world' were banned from writing such comments that are not useful to anyone. I hope you never need the assistance of the police !

I think you mean me, if I ever do need them I can assure you my opinions formed by their incompetence in the past towards me would not prevent me from making the call. I don't live in hope of that day coming, but if they ever do prove helpful to me I will lavish praise in equal measure to my past criticisms.

RoseD says...
6:40pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Finally, Pete the Brickie should have a column, better than this non story, but being on the team would likely be too 'establishment' for Pete. (who's comments re: untethered horses a few mos back STILL make me laugh at odd times.) (Uncool in public but there you go.)

Buzz Light-year says...
12:58pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Murphy_the_Spangle says...
4:09pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Get a sense of humour!! Life's too short to be miserable. Pete the Brickie's post made me and I suspect quite a few others, a good laugh. It was witty and it was clean!


capt spaulding says...
11:42am Thu 29 Nov 12


inthesticks says...
12:38pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Actually, I think he is very clever and definitely one of the better posters on this site. Keeps me entertained.

Thanks all, you've made my day today. :)

NYP spokesperson clearly stated "checks had been made with local hospital". All these people saying they should have checked here, there and everywhere. Maybe NYP should take the initial call, put their feet up get the yellow pages out and ring all over the place. Get a grip, time can be crucial. Jesus, if one of my loved ones or a neighbour was reported not seen for a while, I would want action, not telephone calls(basic local checks accepted). If it means a door going in, that can be replaced, life cant. Plus I would imagine that NYP will be picking up the tab on the door, well local taxpayers will. Hope you make a speedy recovery but for God's sake get a grip, be thankful there are people around you who actually care!! Well done NYP and may you knock many more doors in !! Maybe when they breakdown a drug dealers door the press should allow comments for some idiots to play holy hell about that as well.

Bet he'd been walking on the cracks in the pavement while wearing a loud shirt and accompanied by an offensive wife.

Capt. Dobie wrote:
WHAT IF the NHS were able to inform local govt carers, Help The Aged AND Police via single email to 3 recipients, or even a call to a community rep on each?

Thereby negating the police ringing around the UK;

'Dear Fuzz (etc), Mr/ Mrs Bloggs of 22 Whatever Street + postcode is in this hospital, please be advised should you receive any calls receiving this address. Kisses, NHS Support Bod.'

Would that be too easy? Might be too much for the NHS to do and no doubt they'd make a hash of it.

Hang-on...I hear cries of privacy, data protection, HRA, Liberty, it's not our job blah blah blah...I think James Alexander should resign over this too.

Hope he gets a nice new door though...the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

What if....he just told his neighbours? If they knew him well enough to be concerned they hadn't seen him for a while, surely he knew them well enough to let them know he'd be away for a few weeks?

No win situation for the police, as for spending fifteen minutes ringing round, it could have been the difference between life and death. Some people like to keep themselves to themselves, if you go in hospital, best to tell somebody.

In cases like this a locksmith should be used who can then make a no damage forced entry with the police there.

You would be surprised what a good locksmith can break into !

Exactly the same thing happened with my elderly neighbour about a year ago. I normally leave for work at about 5.45am, and for three days repeatedly I saw that his living room light was on as I walked to the garage to get my car out. After three days that ruled out accidentally leaving the light on before going to bed, so I tried knocking on his door - nothing. His only relatives now live abroad

On day four I called CoYC social services, who rang me back 15 minutes later and told me that he was in hospital and that there was nothing to worry about. I don't know how they were able to find this out, but it clearly wasn't that difficult because it didn't take them very long. So why did the police, who are, after all, supposed to be professional detectives, draw a complete blank and then have to act out a scene from 'Dirty Harry' on the poor bloke's front door?

My father in law was alone on the floor for 24 hours after suffering a stroke. Thank heavens a neighbour (who had a key) called round and found him.

The police did exactly the right thing in Mr Eggleton's case. They contacted the local hospital: he wasn't there. Rather than ring every other hospital in a 40-mile radius, they broke into his home. I'm very glad they did.

It`s only a door for goodness sake!

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

Brilliant, absolutely flippin' brilliant.

Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The police acted on what information they had at that time they did the right thing.never mind chasing up medical records someone's life could of been in danger in the time it takes to get help.I wish him all the best.the police are only human mistakes can be made but they will get your home sorted.you would be concerned if you you had not seen a neighbor for sometime they got help surely you would do the same ? Welldone for the person who raised the alarm.hope more people look out for others in their local area this winter.

Agree the man should not have to write a letter, but that's it. Everything else is rubbish.....decision
s need to be made , and fast . I think you will find that getting information from the NHS is not as easy as it sounds ( data protection ) and the man who rang Social Services about his neighbour to be told he is in hospital over the phone is unbelievable in this day and age , good job it wasn't Billy the Burglar .
Also do people really think the repair is done by the Police and in some cases people think they would leave is insecure.

A old woman down my way had a wardrobe fall on her and she was trapped, if she wasnt discovered missing etc she could have died, same here with this guy, so for once the police did the right thing I think, as to the repair, repairs are not there job, I bet they phoned an around the clock glazing firm etc.

The excuses all the time, data protection is another one of those things like health and safety that has gone over the top.
Who says that the police in their full capacity as a policeman could not ask the hospital for the information that they required because od data protection. what a load of old trollop.

Pete the Brickie wrote:

Theendoftheworld wrote:
I have the deepest sympathy with Mr. Eggleton and hope he makes a complete recovery BUT the story could have had a different ending. Imagine the outcry if the police had not investigated and Mr. Eggleton was seriously ill or even dead in the house. I feel sure that the damage was done with good intentions and that full reparations will be made.

I wanted the police the other day, I rang and rang but nobody answered, I checked all the local laybys and supermarkets but I still couldn't find them. Being concerned for their wellfare I popped over to the station, there was no sign of life so I smashed their front door glass with my level, they weren't in so I left them a note and stuck a rough sawn lump of chipboard over it to keep the rain out using four Phillips screws for security. When they returned later and phoned me I told them to write to me at a place where I didn't live in the hope that would put them off pursuing me for the damage and inconvienience I'd caused.

:)

Tom6187 wrote:
The police were concerned about his health so they acted, the man will end up with a nice new door so I really don't see what the problem is, I would be thanking them.

It looks like the Police have actually improved upon the previous door. Bloke looks like Ebeneezer Scrooge. The local panto's will be snapping him up...

AnarchyUK wrote:

Tom6187 wrote:
The police were concerned about his health so they acted, the man will end up with a nice new door so I really don't see what the problem is, I would be thanking them.

It looks like the Police have actually improved upon the previous door. Bloke looks like Ebeneezer Scrooge. The local panto's will be snapping him up...

This man is 74 and has just had a serious operation.
AnarchyUK do you think you will look any better when you are his age and after having a serious operation.

Dear All

It appears this was quite a popular story to comment on. I’m sure my father would, if he was connected to the Internet, like to thank the sympathisers (The mickey takers not so much).

He would also like to thank Dan Bean / The Press for covering the story. If he hadn’t I wouldn’t have been aware of the situation.

The current status of the incident is that I have had to write a letter to Newby Hall NYP HQ.

My very ill and disabled father is 74 and has been very emotionally distressed by a situation caused by officers of NYP, not to mention financially distressed by the damage caused to his property.

This letter is necessary as both a complaint over the ‘service’ he received and is the process by which he can seek damages.

My father does not blame the police for acting as they did with the best intentions, but does lay some blame at the thoroughness of their ‘search’ for him. In many ways this is due to the changes to their thoroughness, the Data Protection Act, the services of the NHS and circumstances such as urgency.

This is a description of the incident as seen from our side as outlined in the letter.

23.11.12 My father returned to his home from a 3 week stay at St James’ Hospital Leeds (after having his bladder and part of his bowel removed due to cancer) to find his front door ‘screwed’ to the frame. The windows in the door smashed and boarded, the door blind broken, the frame in disrepair so that the door doesn’t close properly and the lock damaged beyond repair.

In a terribly agitated state my father had to call an emergency locksmith to unscrew the door and replace the lock.

On his sofa bed was a ‘Compliment slip’ from NYP. Dated 19.11.12. It read as reported above, ‘Mr. Eggleton, there was a call of concern for your well being as a result your door was forced. You were since confirmed as being at hospital.’

My father was subsequently told in a telephone conversation that a ‘concerned neighbour’ had called the NYP as they hadn’t seen him for a few days.

Until his illness took a turn for the worse he had spent many weeks of the year travelling abroad in Europe and Asia. It is not unusual for him to not be in the house for up to 6 weeks at a time. The Police had not been called before.

When my father asked NYP to help him with what to do next he was simply told to write a letter of complaint to NYP at HQ.

It would be bad enough for a fit, young, able person to be treated in this way. But for a severely ill, disabled, 74 year old resident recuperating from major surgery to be left to mop up the mess NYP created and told to write a letter is a disgrace.

It cannot be right for officers of the state to shrug their shoulders and pass off on the responsibility of their actions.

After persisting with calls for assistance over the next few days my father was told that an Officer would call to help him with the letter. This did not happen.

By Tuesday he was at a total loss as to what to do, so my father then contacted The Press in York for their help and was interviewed by Dan Bean. The story was reported on the Thursday. 7 days since he returned home – still no-one from NYP had called around.

When questioned by the The Press, NYP stated, ‘Following checks with local hospitals which indicated he was not a patient, the decision was taken to force entry to the house to ensure that he was not in distress inside the property. Following a search it was discovered Mr. Eggleton was not present at his home and the premise was securely boarded up’

However, the comp slip clearly states that NYP made subsequent checks and confirmed he was in a local hospital.

That leads me to believe that after breaking in NYP then made further checks and in ‘widening’ their search did indeed ascertain he was an inpatient at St James Hospital.

When the article appeared in The Press, I called my father and offered to help with the letter. I contacted Dan Bean and offered my contact details to NYP to help push this along.

Later that day at 10pm I received a voicemail from an officer of NYP saying he would get someone to contact me on Friday. On Saturday afternoon I received a voicemail from a PC and we played telephone voicemail tennis until eventually speaking on Monday 3rd December.

The PC informed me that he believed my father was supposed to be contacted by’ Legal & Compliance Services’ and he would chase them and give them my number. He then subsequently called me to say that he’d been instructed in an email to him to tell us to write a letter to this office, ‘setting out the circumstances’.

The sum total of which was that now more than a week after discovering the damage and having to temporarily fix something damaged by NYP, and considerable stress to a recuperating, disabled and aged man, I had to get the details from him and write ‘a letter’.

From where I sit, post incident, the level of communication, attitude and actions (or inaction) from NYP has caused unnecessary and considerable mental and emotional stress to my father. He is not sleeping because of this and his doctor is so concerned as to how this will affect his recuperation he’s been prescribed sleeping tablets.

What ought to have happened is that upon receiving the ‘call of concern’ NYP should have called York Hospital, and upon confirming he was not an inpatient they should have asked for his Doctors details. NYP could have then called the Doctor, who was aware that my father was in St James Hospital having a major operation. The door then would not have been forced.

As it happened NYP didn’t take these simple steps, so they broke in. Only to discover my father wasn’t there. Then subsequently confirming he was an inpatient elsewhere having under gone major surgery.

What then ought to have happened was that a proper letter / report outlining the incident should have been left with a form to send off – already pre-filled. Stating what happened and what damage had been caused by the action. Or at least immediately upon my father calling NYP to find out what happened a representative from NYP should have urgently called around to assist filling in a form.

None of these things are rocket science. None of these things cost a lot of money. A bit of common courtesy and common-sense would have alleviated the subsequent anxiety and stress.

Now my father needs the whole door and frame replacing and a new window blind.

We believe the negligence of NYP makes them responsible.

We have asked in the letter what NYP is going to offer in the way of compensation for this claim and how quickly it can be settled?

After writing a ‘strong’ letter to ‘Legal & compliance Services’, which I copied to the Professional Standards Directorate, Dan and the new PCC. I spoke to Dan to update him on the situation.

A few hours later I received a call from an Area Inspector of NYP inviting me to a meeting to discuss the situation. I don’t think it was a coincidence and I assume it was spurred by their reflection on the call from Dan.

I had a long tel con with the Inspector. I outlined our complaint. He was very sympathetic. I went through all of the above content of the letter.

In order to prevent the repeat of this situation to my father, or anyone else, I suggested they improve procedures.

I was asked to get my father to inform them should he be going into a hospital not in York again, or indeed on holiday. He should call them to ask them to ‘flag’ his address with a note – and to include the details of anyone who might know where he was or had a spare key.

(Can you imagine if every single pensioner did this?!)

At the end of the day the officers meant well, but they weren’t helped by their procedures nor the situation that York Hospital’s data doesn’t speak to other hospitals databases or the doctors databases. One day they will. Hopefully.

As an aside. I called York Hospital to find out what ward he was on when I got a message he was in hospital. They suggested calling Leeds Trust as his notes suggested he might be there. When I called Leeds Trust they said he was not an inpatient at LGI or Jimmy’s.

If you’ve read this far, thank you.

Iam of the same age and if it had happened to me I would proberbly have been devistated, I still say that the hospital would have known who his GP was and the Gp would have none as to what was on his notes.I wish your dad well and a speedy recovery and hope both you and your dad have a very nice Christmas.