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Family’s fury as police refuse to send officer after hit-and-run

The family of a 10-year-old boy who was hit by a car on a zebra crossing say they are disgusted by police inaction following the incident.

Thames View Primary pupil, Steven White, was hit by a black Peugeot estate as he crossed Beechings Way, Gillingham, shortly before 1pm on Tuesday.

He said he believed the car had slowed down to let him cross but then continued on to the crossing and hit him, damaging his bike, before driving off.

Steven White who was hit by a car at this crossing
Steven White who was hit by a car at this crossing

His sister phoned the emergency services when he returned home shortly afterwards and Steven was assessed for minor injuries by ambulance crews.

But when she contacted the police she was told to attend a police station, and that an officer would not attend the house.

Steven, who lives in Beechings Way, near the scene of the accident, only suffered minor back and neck pain, but was left shaken by the incident and upset about his bike.

His sister Monica, 17, said: “He came home and told me to tell the police – but they said it had got nothing to do with them.

“They wouldn’t send an officer. They said you have to come down to the station to report it.”

Mum Louella Walcombe said the outcome of the accident could have been a lot worse, and was angry police hadn’t treated it more seriously.

She said that as a full-time carer, she had no time to visit the police station to report the incident.

“He was a bit gutted about his bike, but thank god he hasn’t broken any bones,” she said.

“I’m disgusted – they definitely should have sent someone over. It’s a hit-and-run – they hit him, damaged his bike and went" - Louella Walcombe

“I’m disgusted – they definitely should have sent someone over.

“It’s a hit-and-run – they hit him, damaged his bike and went.

“They’re letting this happen and showing you can drive through a zebra crossing, hit a child and they won’t do anything.”

The family are now hoping to view CCTV from a nearby youth centre, to see if the incident was recorded.

Police confirmed they were called at 12.49pm on Tuesday to a report of a collision involving a car and a 10-year-old cyclist on Beechings Way, Gillingham, and that it was reported the car did not stop following the collision.

A statement said: “Officers did not attend the scene as it was established over the telephone the boy was not injured and there were no immediate lines of enquiry.

"The child’s parents were advised over the telephone to visit their local police station so full details of the incident could be recorded and referred to an officer for further investigation if appropriate.”

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