FOI 300805

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 300805

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 21st December 2023.  Please find below the response to your request:

 

 

1) In the calendar year 2023 up to the date of this email, how many crimes were logged by your force where the website Gumtree was recorded as being an element in the offence?

 

 

2) Please provide me with a table showing a breakdown of the crimes from Question 1 that are ‘linked’ to Gumtree by its mention in the MO and/or investigation summary field.

 

 

3) Please provide me with copies of the first 10 MOs and/or investigation summary fields that mention Gumtree. 

 

 

Reply

 

Primary Offence groupof crimes incuded the word "Gumtree" or "Gum tree" in the incident summary Total for 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2023

 

VEHICLE OFFENCES 1

THEFT 1

Grand Total 2

 

 

Date reported Incident sumerry 

2023 THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE

 

VICTIM REPORTING THAT HE SAW A **** FOR SALE ON GUMTREE. HE CONTACTED THE SELLER MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO COLLECT IT. HE ATTENDED THE SELLERS HOUSE WITH A FRIEND. THE VICTIM PAID THE SELLER CASH FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE FRIEND ***** (AS THE VICTIM AGREED) .THE SUSPECT IS NOW REFUSING TO GIVE *** BACK TO THE VICTIM. THE VICTIM DOES NOT HAVE A RECEIPT AND HAS NO REAL EVIDENCE IT WAS HIM WHO BROUGHT **** AND HENCE DOES NOT FEEL IT WORTHWHILE PURSUING A COMPLAINT.

2023 THEFT OTHER

 

IP ADVERTISED **** ON GUMTREE.COM AND A PERSON CALLING HERSELF *** CONTACTED HIM VIA THE WEBSITE. 3 MEN IN A VAN TO PICK IT UP AT 18:30 FROM IP’S HOUSE AND THEY TOOK *** AWAY AND GAVE IP £150 FOR IT. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER *** RETURNED WITH ONLY PART OF *** WITH ANOTHER OLDER PERSON AND COMPLAINED THAT THE *** WAS NOT WHAT SHE WAS EXPECTING. IP REMAINED VERY POLITE AND BEING REASONABLE HE OFFERED HER A FULL REFUND IF SHE RETURNED THE *** INTACT. SHE THEN WENT OFF IN A CAR AND RETURNED 10 MINUTES LATER IN CAR WITH THE OLDER MAN WITH SOME*** PARTS AND IP GAVE HER ALL THE MONEY BACK IN CASH. *** THEN LEFT BUT STRAIGHT AWAY IP REALISED THAT SHE HAD STILL NOT BROUGHT ALL THE PARTS BACK SO HE CONTACTED *** ON THE APP AND ASKED FOR *** TO RETURN THEM, NOTABLY THE INSTRUCTIONS AND A ZIP BAG. HOWEVER EVEN AFTER REPEATEDLY SENDING SEVERAL MESSAGES OVER SEVERAL DAYS VIA GUMTREE *** HAS NOT REPLIED OR RETURNED THE PARTS. IP CANNOT USE OR SELL **** WITHOUT THE MISSING PARTS SO NOT IS HE INCONVENIENCED BUT HE IS OUT OF POCKET FINANCIALLY TO THE TUNE OF £150.