I neither like or dislike the police, you are always going to get unhelpful people, and yes, some will put a uniform on, but like someone has said, you need to be realistic. You also need to know how the system works. You have further proof the bike is/could be yours, which you should take along to the station along with your ref number and get it logged, maybe ask to speak to the officer dealing with your case.
Lets say you did just go and try to "steal it back". If the police are called to the scene regarding a man forcefully taking a bike from a women and child, from her house too (who could in all probability be innocent) then that is what they will deal with. Of course you will be able to have your say, down at the station and more than likely to the courts as you try to justify your actions to the judge. The incident of the original theft is already logged and a seperate case. You just have to go along with the system im afraid.
If someone came to your house while you were out and only your wife and young child were at home, and forcefully took one of your bikes because they said it had the same grips saddle colour etc, im sure you would want the police to help catch and prosecute the theif suspect regardless of what he claimed, or could prove.
Anyway, if i go on a ride along with an armed response unit, do i ger a gun