Police break down door of Mansfield man’s flat after DWP told them he could be suicidal

Reposted from Mansfield CHAD

Kevan Ramsdale of Bowling Street, Mansfield. Police smashed his door down last after DWP told them he might be suicidal.

Police officers smashed down the front door of a Mansfield man’s flat after the DWP tipped them off he could be suicidal.

Kevan Ramsdale was settling down for the night in front of his TV with his headphones on when two policemen walked into his bedroom.

Kevan 52, said he was shocked and surprised to see the two men.

Mr Ramsdale who is in the process of making a claim with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), said: “I was talking to someone about my claim being delayed and I asked the woman on the phone if she had seen a Channel 4 Dispatches TV programme the night before showing how many people had committed suicide after having their benefits cut.

“I said it was no wonder people did it because the DWP make life so difficult for them. I didn’t think any more about it.”

He said at 8pm on Monday he had been watching TV in his bedroom with his headphones on. “I heard some noise and the next thing I know there were two men standing above me,” said Mr Ramsdale.

“They smashed my front door to smithereens and forced their way into my bedroom.

“They weren’t in uniform and said they had called to see me after DWP contacted the police and told them I was suicidal.

They were very cocksure of themselves, but I never told anyone I was going to kill myself.

“I asked them to leave – I was very upset because I had to spend the night without a secure door.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Our Jobcentre advisers work hard to support claimants turn their lives around and care about their welfare, so if someone indicates they might be thinking about suicide the police are immediately informed.”

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: ”The officers had shouted into Mr Ramsdale’s letter box three or four times and had knocked on the door for between 5-10 minutes to get his attention before deciding to break down the door. The police offered to secure the door afterwards.”