Do many crimes go unreported these days?

My van was rammed by a BMW on monday, and after I was menaced by the driver and two other young blokes they left the scene in a hurry. I called 101, 10 minute queue on the phone.
Reported the incident, gave details of the car and woman spoke to 3 witnesses on the phone. Then told me she could not pass it on to traffic officers until I visited my nearest police station with my documents. I said I now had no vehicle and it would take ages, and involve a bus or a taxi, could an officer not call? She replied, no,   but try and ger here today so we can start looking for him. Some, especially older people, must simply not bother.