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Send to a friendNovember 11,2007
Wheelie crazy
Aug 11 2007 by Sam Beattie, Evening Gazette
A MIDDLESBROUGH man has been offered counselling - to help him cope with the loss of his wheelie bin.
Karim Allison of Ormesby said he was stunned when he got a letter from Victim Support offering him “emotional support and practical help” over a missing dustbin.
“I just can’t believe it to be honest. Who’d need victim support over a wheelie bin?” said the 47-year-old.
“I was wondering whether someone sent me this letter as a joke because it’s so unbelievable. It’s ridiculous.
“I didn’t even know what it was on about.”
Karim mentioned his bin had disappeared to a neighbourhood beat officer a few months ago.
But he thought nothing more of it until he was sent the letter by Middlesbrough Victim Support this week.
Wondering whether the letter was a hoax, he checked with police who confirmed that the incident had been logged on the crime database.
Karim, who works at James Cook University Hospital, said he wasn’t that emotionally attached to his wheelie bin and has managed to get over the loss without counseling.
“I really don’t need victim support. I was more bothered about replacing the bin, because I needed one.
“There are victims of crime out there who need these people more than I’d need them over a wheelie bin.”
He now has a new dustbin.
Cleveland Police, who referred the case to victim support, said the service is offered to all victims of crime.
Victim Support said the organisation offers support to those who have reported all types of crime, regardless of the severity.
“We recognise that it’s a trivial thing, but it proves that the system is working,” a spokesman said.