‘It’s not like you’re delivering Amazon packages’: A qualitative study and thematic analysis exploring older victims’ perspectives on how the police responded to their crime report

Abstract

Abstract Crime can be psychologically distressing for older victims, but their needs are poorly understood by the police. Using data from 27 in-depth semi-structured interviews with older victims who reported their crime to the Metropolitan Police Service in London (UK), we inductively explored their perceptions of how officers responded. We found that, whilst experiences and opinions varied, the actions of the police appeared to shape older victims’ psychological outcomes. Showing concern for older victims’ welfare, apologizing for oversights, and communicating case progress were helpful actions from officers. Lengthy responses, failure to acknowledge emotional harm and reduced presence of officers on the street, were considered not helpful. Our recommendations include flagging older victims to be contacted on more than one occasion post-crime, expanding routine training to encourage sensitive communication with this population, and online implementation of procedural justice training.