Laser Quest manager says it's a 'disgrace' police did not respond to call for help
A GAMES centre boss has criticised Humberside Police for failing to respond to his 999 call – despite being based just yards from the force's divisional headquarters.
Darren Edwards, general manager of Laser Quest in George Street, Hull city centre, called for help after an aggressive customer refused to leave.
-
PLEA FOR HELP: Darren Edwards, general manager of Laser Quest in George Street, Hull, called 999 after being intimidated by a customer. Picture: Jerome Ellerby
But he says a police operator told him there was no one available to attend, despite the business's proximity to Queens Gardens police station.
Humberside Police told the Mail they had not sent anyone because Mr Edward's customer had left of his own accord by the end of the phone call.
Mr Edwards said: "The police told me they were too busy to attend, but they are very close to here, so that is just ridiculous.
"They told me there were no units available, but I think it's a bit disgraceful that they can't just walk out of the door and come and have a little look.
"We pay business rates and we pay extra money to Hull Business Improvement District, and this is the first time in the two years we have been here that we have asked them to come.
"I explained this to the operator and told him I wasn't happy.
"He said he didn't control their staffing levels and hung up the phone on me."
Mr Edwards called 999 after a man turned nasty, claiming he had lost money from a boxing game machine.
When Mr Edwards told him he would have to call the firm operating the machine to get his money back, the customer lost his cool.
The general manager said: "He became aggressive in his manner and I felt intimidated. He said 'I want the money from the till' and when I refused he said 'I'll get it myself'.
"He was up in my face. It was frightening. I asked him to leave and he refused, so I called the police.
"After a while, he thankfully walked out of here."
A police spokesman told the Mail: "Humberside Police received a call at 3.47pm on Tuesday, May 4, from a member of the public reporting a man being abusive and threatening at the Laser Quest in George Street, Hull.
"However, while on the phone to the police the aggressor left the premises and the member of the public was advised to call police again if he returned.
"The risk was assessed based on this information and the Immediate Response Team were not deployed to the incident."
44 Comments
View all
by glen, hull
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 10:55AM
“mr edwards likes taking the money .but does not like paying out.ba humbug”
by nicky, hull
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 7:57AM
“why do we pay council tax when the police can't be arsed to turn up! maybe we should stop paying the portion assigned to the police and see if that gets them moving!”
by His face is familiar, is he related, to the fat one and the canine couturier?
Monday, May 10 2010, 10:12PM
“Anyone fancy a glass of water?”
by This moaning whinger doesn't seem, to be able to muster much sympathy
Monday, May 10 2010, 10:08PM
“Has he ever groomed dogs, or diluted vodka?”
by Jon, Hull
Monday, May 10 2010, 8:22PM
“I get where "Tiredofstupidity" is coming from, and I agree the grading system is needed, and personally I feel Humberside Police haven't been portrayed in a good light by the Hull Daily Mail here. That or they haven't taken the time to comment more thoroughly on the event. The entire story reads like an admission that a man can be aggressive and abusive and get away with it just so long as he leaves before any law enforcement arrives. Having the police *allegedly* hanging up on what could easily have escalated into a violent exchange is absurd, and doesn't make for good reading or PR for Humberside Police. At the very least the officer involved with the call should have kept Darren on the line until he was certain there was no danger. I've had nothing but good experiences in what little contact I've had with Humberside Police. For "Gentjan" I would suggest giving the police a little sympathy instead of pouncing on every opportunity to tell your tale. They act on what information they have, and if the other gentleman involved in the incident you mentioned reported you, then the police are obliged to do something about it. They didn't arrest you assuming you were guilty, but rather to be seen to be doing something, and to gather more information. IMO”
by Ste, Hull
Monday, May 10 2010, 7:47PM
“Jim - I meant my question quite literally.”
by Ste, Hull
Monday, May 10 2010, 7:46PM
“Gentjan - No I ask you because I have no doubts that race will have played a part.
I could give a long list of examples of racism perpetrated by the Police. It¿s unfortunately the world we live in ¿ the ignorant rule the truly knowledgeable people.”
by jim, HULL central
Monday, May 10 2010, 7:45PM
“STE, are you trying to imply that the police would not behave in a racist way at all?”
by Sam, Hull
Monday, May 10 2010, 7:03PM
“Of course anybody trying to get a refund from the owner of the machines would be told to get lost anyway.”
by kez, hull
Monday, May 10 2010, 6:41PM
“he should of shot them with a laser gun , then the police would of been there in a laser flash and arrested the manager and gave the gobby bloke a drink to carm him down !!!!”