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Have-a-go hero has home pelted by thugs after police take four hours to answer 999 call
Last updated at 02:22am on 27.03.08When Gary Hall found a teenage burglar in his home, the champion bodybuilder wrestled him to the ground – and his wife called 999.
Assured that officers were en route and just minutes away he pinned the thug down and waited…and waited.
But three hours later, the police called back – to tell Mr Hall they were busy and couldn't spare an officer after all.
By that stage, it was already too late.
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15 stone Gary Hall pinned down a thug trying to burgle his home for 15 minutes
Mr Hall had been forced let the intruder go, after his friends had surrounded the house, throwing stones and hurling abuse.
Mr Hall, 42, who weighs 15 stone, said: "I waited for them for as lonas I could. It was either let him go or make him a cup of tea."
"To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I don't know what kind of incident it takes anymore to get a swift response,' added Mr Hall, a director in his family-run firm of electricians.
"He was watching TV with his wife, Jackie, 41, shortly before midnight, on Sunday when he heard a noise outside.
"I looked though the blinds of the window and saw a group of teenagers prowling about in our neighbour's garden with torches. They left but returned about ten minutes later.
Gary Hall held the title of Mr Doncaster in 2006
"This time they were in our garden shining their torches though the windows of our motorhome which was parked on the drive.
"One of them then approached the front door of our house and turned the handle. I quickly opened the door andmust have surprised him because he stumbled through the door.
"He was a big, gangly lad, taller than me, but he was easy to wrestle to the floor. He didn't put up much of a fight and I just sat on him to restrain him.
"I think he may have been in a state of shock," added the amateur bodybuilder, who was crowned Central Britain Champion in 2006.
His wife phoned police and was assured officers would be straight round to arrest the suspect.
But the couple were still waiting 15 minutes later.
With no sign of help, they had no choice but to let the teenager go.
"I was terrified," said Mrs Hall.
"We had three young children in bed upstairs.
"I was shouting down the phone to get someone around quick – that my husband had caught a burglar in our home.
"The woman on the phone took our address and said someone would be around straight away. But when theydidn't show up and this boy's mates came back throwing stones and shouting abuse, I screamed at Gary to let him go. He was still sitting on him."
The six thugs then ran off. At 3.15am, police rang to say officers had been diverted.
A PC called at their home in the village of Holton-le-Clay near Grimsby, in the morning to take a statement.
Lincolnshire Police said: "It was an exceptionally busy night and unfortunately we couldn't deal with the case.
"We were dealing with ten high priority incidents which included alcohol-related disorder, an arson, a road traffic collision, a burglary in progress and a domestic incident involving a young child, suspicious activity and anti-social behaviour.
"There was a lot going on so that call was redirected across to Humberside Police which caused the delay in us being able to respond.
"The officer sent to deal with the call was then himself redirected to another incident."
Reader views (14)
The rest of the civilized world may think we are lunatics, but this is exactly why we fight so hard to protect our gun rights in America. When seconds count, the police are just minutes away (in this case three hours).
- T, NY, USA
Another of Labour's legacies. Tie the Police up in red tape and paperwork; reduce their effective numbers and make sure they cannot possibly respond to 999 calls.
New Labour: Still isn't working!
- Tangomike, Kensington, London
Currently in Britain under New Labour...Crime Pays!
The government would have the public believe that they have done a marvellous ensuring that we have sufficient police in this country but... In reality it couldn't be further from the truth! Britain is severely lacking fully qualified police and we urgently need to return to the era of "beat bobbies" in sufficient numbers - in order to slash the current crime figures!
For a member of the public to be effectively "lied to" when dialling 999 for urgent help when confronting criminals is outrageously appalling!
New Labour must be very proud of themselves!
- Fraser, Telford Park
Some good suggestions here about how to arouse the police, but here's an idea: get rid of the criminal justice industry altogether and we can fight our own battles! People don't break the law just because the police take too long to arrive.
- Neil, London UK
Not surprised as the police now refuse to go to any call if there are less than 10 of them.
- Mark, London
John Bee - you're absolutely right. I was once involved in an incident where the police refused to help but told me that they would have someone from their telephone investigation team call me later. I was told afterwards by two separate parties to tell the police you 'think' you see a weapon. It's such a shame that it has to come to that.
- We, Kent
He could have killed them all and buried them in the garden; there would be no chance of the police catching him or finding the bodies after all.
- Squiz, Islington
Mr Hall was lucky, he could have been banged up for years after the chaotic PC judicial system prosecuted him for not helping the burglar carry out his own stolen goods.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Presumably the police will be around shortly to arrest Mr. Hall.
- Andrew, Cambridge
"Lincolnshire Police said: "It was an exceptionally busy night and unfortunately we couldn't deal with the case.
"We were dealing with ten high priority incidents which included alcohol-related disorder, an arson, a road traffic collision, a burglary in progress and a domestic incident involving a young child, suspicious activity and anti-social behaviour.
"There was a lot going on so that call was redirected across to Humberside Police which caused the delay in us being able to respond2
So all it takes to paralyse the Lincolnshire police is 10 concurrent incidents? A gang of 12 could have the run of the county then, a gang of 20 could paralyse completely all police effort?
What an astonishing admission of inability to cope, from the police force!
- Dixon Green, Lincoln
The only way you'll get them to turn up is to say that you've just injured the intruder and they'll be round like a shot to arrest you.
- Ali Barbra, Kensington, UK
Mr Hall should have told the Police he would shoot the intruder if they didn't arrive within ten minutes. That would have got their attention.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
A typical "Blair" shambles. Poorly trained staff, management missing, inadequate staffing. Nothing new.
- John, Boncath, Wales
The correct thing to do is to tell the emergency operator that you "think" you see one of the youths with a gun in their pocket. I guarantee you'll get the level of police service you require within 3 minutes. With any luck there will be an argument outside as the armed police demand the perpertrator drop the weapon he probably isn't holding. We can only hope he will be shot in the head.
- John Bee, London, UK
