The Metropolitan Police. Do they take cyclists seriously?

Why would I doubt it?  Well, I have tried using the Roadsafe reporting website on a few occasions and have not yet elicited any kind of response beyond an automated acknowledgement.  I complained to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner back in September and have had only a holding response despite chasing.

I decided I would report this morning's incident (see my immediately preceding blog post).  Since it has required, and no doubt will require, a substantial investment of my time I thought I would spend the further time to report here how I get on.

I reported this morning to a central number, gave very outline details and was told the matter could be taken further only if I reported to a Metropolitan Police Station and filled in the form applicable to road rage.  I was also asked to take in the video evidence.

I have just returned from visiting Charing Cross Station.  It took just over an hour.  The appropriate form is not available to be picked up, you have to get to the counter.  After a 20 minute wait I got to see an 'SRO'  (Station Reception Officer, I think).  He told me first that I could not have a form as there had not been a collision.  I told him I was there at the request of somebody else in the Metropolitan Police and had compelling evidence of a crime in the form of a video.   I had as requested taken the video along on a CD.  'Are you a licensed to take copies of videos...No, well then I am afraid we cannot use that video.  If we were to use that in Court it would be thrown out'.  (Not true).

I persevered and eventually he went away to consult a sergeant.  20 minutes later he came back saying he would record the details as a public order offence.  He took my details and recorded my answers in his computer.  The questions included
'What were you wearing, was it fluorescent?'
'Were you in lycra?'
'You were riding along the yellow line, yeah?'  Indicating, on Google Earth streetview, the single yellow parking restriction line you can just see at the outset in my video.
'Did you inform him you were filming him?'
'Why did you have a camera?'

Before I left I again offered my CD.  No, he would not accept that and no it could not be passed on to Hounslow who were to investigate.  If they took it any further they would require my camera for about 3 weeks.

I was given a reference and told that if I had any further queries I was to revisit a police station with my 9 number reference.  No, I could not telephone/e mail.

I am just telling it as it is, with no comment.  I will update this post as appropriate.

Postscript:  I should perhaps have made it clearer that as a consequence of my persistence the details I supplied (without the video) will be passed to Hounslow Police Station for investigation of a public order offence.

UPDATE (8th November):  Progress.  I have been contacted by a Police Constable in Chiswick who is investigating and I have sent him a copy of the video (and the youtube link).

UPDATE (9th November):  I was pretty fed up as a consequence of Thursday's events so when the following morning I filmed some more aggressive driving, I put it on a CD and sent it to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner with a reminder that I had still received no substantive response to my earlier comments about the RoadSafe reporting initiative.  His office will no doubt have received that yesterday.  This morning between 0915 and 0930 I was sent e mail acknowledgements of the three reports I have made in the last week.  The first response of any kind I have ever got using RoadSafe so things are picking up.
I also got home last night to find a letter confirming that Chiswick were investigating the reported threat to kill enclosed with a leaflet from 'Victim Support'.
I will continue to keep you posted.

UPDATE (11th November):  The police advised by the CPS have decided upon no further action.  I have asked them to refer it to a more senior level within the CPS and indicated that I wish to complain.