What are they for, then?

I have posted on the implications of the Ms. Pilkington case.

Since then another case has arisen.

Nikki Collen, mother of two and Open University student, rang the Warwickshire Police from her home in Kenilworth, asking them to come after an incident when a thug kicked down her door and then entered and punched her to the floor. She begged for help. Apparently she had telephoned on previous occasions.

The police promised to send an officer, but after an hour rang back to say that it would be better if they did not attend, as it would inflame the situation. They urged her not to press charges and to "sort it out" herself.

We have only her side of the situation, and we do not know if she was related to the assailant, but on the face of it we seem to have a situation similar that of Ms. Pilkington.

If Ms Collen is mostly accurate, we have a woman assaulted by a thug, with the police refusing to go to see her. It raises the important question, "What are the Police for?" At their minimum level their function is the preservation of law and order!

If it was some sort of domestic incident, it was still assault. If the situation could have escalated, this is no argument for doing nothing. To suggest that she should do something herself is against all recommendations and is on the face of it preposterous.

At the very least, the local council should have been informed and involved.