CHINGFORD: Pensioners traumatised after police raid wrong house
1:02pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in
AN ELDERLY couple, one of whom has a heart condition, have spoken of their terror after police mistakenly raided their home at 6am.
Norman and Barbara Long were asleep in their home in Valley Side, Chingford, when the officers smashed their front door in.
Grandfather-of-four Mr Long, 77, said: “I heard a lot of noise, shouting and glass breaking, I thought we were being burgled.
“Then we heard people shouting 'police police police'.
“They asked me where my son is, before they realised they had the wrong house.”
Mrs Long, who has previously had heart surgery, suffered from a racing heart and sweating following the terrifying raid, and a doctor was called to attend her.
The couple were so traumatised by the raid that hours after the attack they were still being treated for shock.
It has now emerged the police officers should have raided the house of a suspected criminal in nearby Valley Side Parade.
Mr Long said: “They put the fear of Christ into me and my wife.
“How can they make a mistake like this? What would happen if they do this and somebody dies?”
The couple are considering making a complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The raid at the Longs' home was part of a series of co-ordinated raids across Chingford yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
The operation, which involved more than 100 officers, is the largest of its kind in the last three-and-a-half years.
A total of 12 addresses were targeted and 14 people arrested as part of an operation to crackdown on drugs and gun crime.
The mistake at the Longs' home comes in a week when the Met has come under fire for its handling of the London G20 protests in April.
Comments(19)
cog
says...
2:19pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Morris Hickey
says...
3:34pm Wed 8 Jul 09
inézc
says...
4:42pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Touchwood
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5:01pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Fresh Gravee
says...
5:20pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Police never seem to learn from their mistakes.
It is bish, bash, wollop, ting, tang, twang, sorry Madam, err is this number 43, er 52, er 123, er what does it say on that warrant Sid, I thought you said the house with the azalea in the front garden, oh you mean the house opposite the house...........
Sir Robert Mark must be cringing in his rocking chair.
db7martin
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7:11pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Techno2
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7:52pm Wed 8 Jul 09
walthamforester
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9:26am Thu 9 Jul 09
JackSpur
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10:02am Thu 9 Jul 09
To all those who are criticising the police may you never be in a position where you personally need them in life threatening situation.
Techno2
says...
10:35am Thu 9 Jul 09
JackSpur wrote:I do not blame the average police officer, but I find their leadership cringeworthy.I have every sympathy for offiercs who are led by people who decide to put themselevs in the papers in the maner of the Borough Commander - posing for photos while the police battered their way into one of the suspects' houses instead of ensuring everyone had the right information, was at the right place and was properly focussed on the job in hand.
The police made a mistake. They are, after all, a collection of human beings who are fallible. Whilst i have every sympathy for the Longs i'm sure they are reasonable people and they and the police can agree to a course of action that will compensate them for the damages they have incured. To all those who are criticising the police may you never be in a position where you personally need them in life threatening situation.
Waltham Forest Borough Commander
says...
2:11pm Thu 9 Jul 09
We visited a number of addresses over a two-day period as part of a large-scale policing operation involving officers from the Met’s specialist units, local boroughs and neighbouring constabularies.
The raids enabled us to secure some very positive results, including 21 people charged with 133 drugs and firearms offences, the recovery of more than £100,000 of drugs and four firearms. Our actions have significantly disrupted the activities of violent gangs operating in the north Chingford area and the effects will inevitably be felt across the whole borough.
Waltham Forest Borough has reduced crime by 14% over the last 3 years, this includes a 44% reduction in personal robbery - equating to 1000 less victims of personal robbery each year. We will always work hard to make positive improvements to the lives of those who live and work in Waltham Forest.
Regards
Mark Benbow
Chief Superintendent
Borough Commander
Waltham Forest Police
walthamforester
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2:17pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Sugarplum
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2:18pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Trouble is, the actual suspect has now been tipped off.
Well done to all on the operation though, at least some scum will be off the streets now!
Waltham Forest Borough Commander
says...
2:41pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Regards
Mark Benbow
Techno2
says...
5:38pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Waltham Forest Borough Commander wrote:Good to hear it and thanks for clarifying the situation and apologizing. But hand on heart, were you and your colleagues not even tad a distracted during your operations by the desire to make sure there were some press photos available of you knocking doors in?
Just to clarify the position, we did (eventually) search the correct address and that person has been arrested and charged with supplying drugs. Regards Mark Benbow
JackSpur
says...
7:35pm Thu 9 Jul 09
LarryTLemur
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9:06pm Thu 9 Jul 09
JackSpur wrote:It's probably just another of Claridger/Huw/Gravee
Wow, did not expect the Borough Commander to reply here. Have to respect you for communicating with the local public in this way. Thanks
's multiple personalities :-)
Techno2
says...
10:41pm Thu 9 Jul 09
LarryTLemur wrote:No, Its the Borough Commander alright. He loves being in the paper.
JackSpur wrote: Wow, did not expect the Borough Commander to reply here. Have to respect you for communicating with the local public in this way. ThanksIt's probably just another of Claridger/Huw/Gravee 's multiple personalities :-)
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leytonstoner says...
2:00pm Wed 8 Jul 09