TWO terrified women who had confronted a burglar were made to wait 24 hours for police to respond to their 999 call.
Sarah Pickersgill, 20, and Jemma Downes, 22, were told Lateral shoulder bags Replica officers would be with them within minutes after they disturbed an intruder stealing their handbags.
But despite fears that the man was still outside, police failed to turn up until the following evening.
Miss Pickersgill, a beauty therapist, and Miss Downes, a law student, were alone at Miss Pickersgill's parents' detached home in Cudworth, Barnsley, when they came across the intruder in the hallway at about 8.50pm on Friday, September 23.
He fled outside with their handbags but then began trying the door handle as Miss Pickersgill tried desperately to set the latch. 'He was push-By Stephanie Condron ing on the door trying to open the door. I shouted to my friend to phone 999,' she said.
Gucci Hobo Bags'I was scared he could come back in. He could have gone around the house.'
An officer was dispatched to the scene but South Yorkshire Police said he was immediately diverted to deal with another emergency.
They were unable to give details of this incident but at around 12.30am, three hours later, he was called to investigate a shooting outside a Barnsley pub in which someone was seriously hurt.
embroidered patches
Acting chief inspector Steve Batty, of Barnsley Police, said: 'We contacted the complainants on Saturday lunchtime to explain the delay and assure them that an officer would be round to see them later.'
He added: 'We are sorry for any upset caused by the delay.' Three officers eventually came to the house on Saturday evening.
The women lost two handbags, [pounds sterling]30, a credit card, driving licence and car keys.
Last night, Miss Pickersgill's father, Brian, said: 'This burglar could have had a knife or anything and I could have arrived home to find the two of them dead.
'When police receive a 999 call from women who are in danger I thought they were supposed to give it priority.
That hasn't happened and it's disgusting.'
Other articles:
http://www.jwallgren.com/Beckett-leads-female-Ministers.html
http://syaa.wxhqqc.com/Blog/View/?437
