What are the police for???

It appears there is a conflict in statements as to what happened to a well known commentator whilst at a beachside resort. If what is claimed to have happened, by either party, happened....go to the police. All that is happening now is a media circus, with all the damage being borne by the resort and prospective tourist revenue losses. Why was there the need to go to the media instead of the police?? Why are losses such a a $1200 earring being touted about? Threats of legal action against the parents of the alleged instigators...Any solicitor, not in it for a buck ,will tell anyone that is a waste of time without police charges being laid. If the concern is for the material losses (earring, prescription glasses) many such items are covered by the household insurance and I really think that if the incident occurred with Joe Bloggs involved it would not have made the impact it has. As it stands, neither party has seen fit to go to the police...The locals perhaps because they feel it was nothing, the other party because...Who knows. As an ex policeman, you'd think it'd be the first thing done...Reporting the incident. But time will tell, I guess or big bucks for a good mouthpiece in court.