Cheshire Police – Incompetent, clueless or corrupt?

Cheshire Police Professional Standards Department:
“Cheshire Constabulary can only maintain the trust and confidence of the public we serve if we respond expeditiously and professionally to any person seeking to complain or express dissatisfaction about the conduct of our officers and staff or the manner in which we deliver policing services and if we actively promote the highest of standards of professional behaviour and personal and professional integrity.”

It’s now twelve months since the closure of my bakery business in Macclesfield – a business established in 1950 – run by myself and my late wife for over twenty-five years.

The sale of my business was intended to provide me with a retirement fund.

Unfortunately, the couple I agreed to sell the business to turned out to be confidence tricksters and criminals. Through my own foolishness and naivety I trusted them – and their way of thanking me was to bleed the business dry – leaving a mountain of debt and misery before disappearing.

When they disappeared over a weekend in January 2018 they took with them all the equipment, property and assets of the business – and put all of the staff out of work.

I had made a number of civil claims against them for non-payment of their debts to me in 2017 – all won – culminating in a court case in December 2017 when I was able to provide substantial and all-inclusive evidence of their criminal behaviour to the presiding judge.

The defendants counterclaimed – making a number of outrageous and untruthful assertions. Being lies not a single one could be substantiated with any evidence – and all were dismissed by the court.

I now hold a total of six outstanding County Court Judgments against the defendants – which have proved to be pretty damned useless.

The only opportunity for me to call a halt to their activities presented itself in March 2016, when the defendants failed to pay the property rent due on the bakery at 58 Brown Street, Macclesfield. Having taken legal advice I exercised my legitimate right as a landlord to enter the property and evict them.

The defendants broke back in to the premises the same evening.

I reported this criminal offence to Cheshire Police. The two attending officers spoke to the accused – but declined to interview me or view evidence I had of non-payment of rent. They refused to take any action whatsoever. One of the officers attending even told me I was “being unreasonable”.

With the assistance of these two Cheshire Police officers those I had accused were left to bring a once successful business to its knees and eventual demise.

Official complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, Cheshire Chief Constable, Cheshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and local MP David Rutley proved futile.

In January 2018 they disappeared, taking with them all the bakery equipment and the delivery van. With massive debts and no equipment the bakery could no longer trade – so the business’s doors had to close.

As I had already expended countless hours and thousands of pounds pursuing the defendants through civil courts – with nothing to show fort it save half a dozen county court judgments – I decided it would be pointless to follow the same course of action.

By now I’d also learned that a number of others had been taken in by these people, they had also pursued court action and were also left holding a number of worthless county court judgments. It became evident that civil courts had no teeth and were no match for the seasoned confidence tricksters.

A number of criminal acts had come to light in my preparation for the court proceedings in December. With a view to preventing them from continuing with their criminal activities, I wrote a blow by blow account and published it on this website – along with an assurance that every word could be verified with supporting evidence. This, I hoped, would serve as a warning to anyone considering working with them, or supplying them, in the future.

The item was picked up and shared on social media before it came to the attention of the defendants – and their family members – who’s response was to instigate a barrage of accusations of anything and everything that they could imagine (as had previously been attempted in a courtroom). They even accused me of many of the criminal acts I accused them of in court. The difference being I’d provided the court with the evidence that convinced the judge I was speaking the truth.

I’ve come to learn this is their M.O. – accuse them of wrongdoing and they will instigate a sustained attack of lies and accusations in a bid to browbeat any opposition into submission. It goes without question that not a single one of their claims was true and could never, ever, be substantiated. If they ever challenge this – ask them for evidence of any claim they make – but don’t hold your breath.

Anyone doubting my claims is welcome to contact me – I’ll happily provide not only evidence of their criminal behaviour – but a list of many other people who’ve been conned and fleeced.

When their personal attacks failed to stop me they complained to Cheshire Police that I was harassing them.

Without interviewing me or undertaking any proper investigation (as I’ve come to expect) a Cheshire police officer (Officer A) telephoned and warned me to take down the item or face arrest. Having explained my motives for posting the item (i.e. to prevent further criminal behaviour) the officer told me she would seek the force’s solicitors advice regarding the validity of my actions.

The officer later emailed the several paragraphs comprising the harassment statute to me.

Several days later I learned that the officer had failed to provide me with the full legislation. Two or three paragraphs which stated that it is “not a crime to publish if published to prevent criminal activity” had been redacted.

I could only assume that officer herself had edited the information I’d been sent – it just doesn’t make sense to suggest the force’s solicitors would do this.

Of course I challenged the assertions but, inevitably, the officer refused to accept my reasoning. As a result I took down the post.

Struggling to come to terms with what was happening I arranged a consultation with a local criminal lawyer who advised me: “there’s not a court in the land that would convict you, but Cheshire Police are a vindictive bunch and you will almost certainly be arrested – do you really want to go through that?”

Despite now having zero confidence in Cheshire Police I decided my only option was to report the theft of the company’s assets.

In the light of information I now held I was also accusing the couple of fraud, forgery, theft, threatening behaviour and criminal damage to company property – all of which had become evident during my investigations into their activities.

At Macclesfield Police Station I was advised an officer would come to my home to take a statement.

I was shocked to the core when this police officer (Officer B) not only refused to view any of the substantial evidential documents I had available but declined to take a statement from me.

Witnessed by my wife he told me “I know what’s been going on . . .  I suggest you consult a solicitor, they will report any criminal activity to us”.

As I hadn’t discussed these issues with any other officer I can only assume this officer had spoken to the accused – prior to coming to see me.

I’d given up on getting anywhere, until several weeks later, when I received a letter from the DVLA stating that ‘someone’ was wishing to transfer ownership of the delivery vehicle into their own name.

The existence of a transfer request confirmed that the person or persons who had removed the van was intending to ‘permanently deprive’ me of the vehicle – in law this is deemed to be proof of theft.

I telephoned the DVLA explaining what had taken place and that the van had in fact been stolen. The DVLA advised me they could only halt a transfer of vehicle ownership if a stolen vehicle marker was placed on the vehicle. As the deadline for opposing transfer was only a couple of days away they suggested I immediately re-report its theft to Cheshire Police.

The police officer (Officer C) who took my statement at Macclesfield police station assured me that a stolen vehicle marker would be placed on the van – thereby preventing its transfer.

The following day the DVLA phoned me to tell me this hadn’t occurred and that as a result their legal department had telephoned Cheshire Police to ascertain the situation. Macclesfield Police had deemed it be a civil offence – I’d been lied to, again.

I telephoned Macclesfield Police, eventually managing to speak to a sergeant and complained about the actions of this officer – and the two previous officers.

After several weeks I’d heard nothing – so I made a formal complaint.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission no longer exists – complaints are now managed by standards departments within each force. A complaint was registered with Cheshire Police Professional Standards Department.

Within days I was contacted by a Police Inspector from Macclesfield Police station – who assured me that my accusations of theft, fraud, forgery etc would be thoroughly investigated.

I later attended Macclesfield Police station to make a statement.

The police constable who took my statement was in the later stages of pregnancy but proved to be extremely thorough and gave me confidence that at last my complaints of criminal behaviour might be taken seriously.

Thankfully, we were able to complete my statement – and I was able to provide all the corroborating documentary evidence necessary to prove all of my accusations – prior to her going on maternity leave.

Before this officer left, on maternity leave, she advised me that the case would be handed over to a fellow officer.

Perhaps unsurprisingly I’ve heard nothing since completing my statement in early October – so can only assume that it’s been buried – probably marked ‘No further action’.

Then, just before Christmas, I was advised that all three officers I’d complained about to Cheshire’s Professional Standards had been exonerated.

I appealed the decision – inevitably without success.

You may find the following difficult to believe but you’ll have trust me that every word is true.

Officer A I’d claimed had redacted the very essence of the statute which related to me. I believed the officer had failed in her duty to thoroughly and impartially investigate and the information I had been given was flawed.

Professional Standards response was that the officer in question had provided me with “all the information that was relevant”.

Note: only the elements of the statute not relevant to me were provided!

Officer B I’d accused of dereliction of duty in that he failed to interview me, failed to listen to my complaint, failed to investigate and failed to view evidence I held which proved my claims. Furthermore all of my allegations had been witnessed.

Professional Standards response was that the officer “thought that my complaint against him was due to the way he had come across”.

Understand any of that? No me neither.

Officer C I’d accused of lying to me, failing in his duty to investigate or record my report of theft of the van and falsely advising me that a stolen vehicle marker would be placed on the stolen vehicle.

Professional Standards response was that Officer C maintained I had insisted that Police Officer B (who I’d complained about) should handle my allegation of theft of the vehicle. Yes – you read that right!

As my original complaint had included the sergeant I have to assume that normal protocol prevailed and an officer at least one rank above sergeant investigated my complaints i.e. a police inspector.

Consider this – the response by three Cheshire Police officers to my complaint could have been demolished in any court of law by even a novice law student – yet satisfied an investigating Professional Standards inspector.

And the final insult – the police officer allocated to take over my case, following the departure of the investigating officer on maternity leave?

Cheshire Police decided an appropriate person would be the very same officer I had accused of dereliction of duty for failing to take my statement or view evidence of criminal activity – Officer B.

I appreciate all of this beggars belief but worse was to come. During my own investigations I came into possession of a copy of a letter – sent by one of the confidence tricksters to one of the officers I’d complained about.

I included this in my statement (and bundle of evidence) to Macclesfield Police. In this letter they (the perps) admit taking the delivery van.

Cheshire Police have a statement which confirms the people I’d accused had indeed stolen the vehicle!

This chain of events raises a number of different of questions relating to Cheshire Police.

Incompetent, clueless, corrupt?

I can only conclude all three – and probably more.

@cheshirepolice

@policemacc

@cheshirepcc