secure bob

This came up on the BBC last month:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/4832086.stm

Says that they're not going to waste time investigating less serious crimes.

I think it's appalling that a police force, tasked with protecting its citizens and charging them directly via council tax, will not be treating crime seriously.

More importantly, I think it's the governments funding of police that's the real problem. Who wants a police force that is cheap to run if it doesn't take crime seriously?

brian

I agree - the police could chase down and catch minor offence criminals if they wanted to input the resources into it - but the legal system just gives these people a slap on the wrist in court, and the government says they've got to cut costs, so I guess the police decide it's just not worth their time and money doing it.

It's pretty disgusting that we should treat crime in such a manner - we're basically accustomising ourselves to accept minor crime as normality.

OneofaKind

The thing that they seem to be forgetting is that people who commit less serious crimes and get away with it often go on to commit more serious crimes.

vicki2

I think it's an appalling situation. Here in a rural area, I see crime every single day. Sure, it's petty or minor, but I watch the police see it too, and just keep on driving! Yesterday, on a country road, I was passed by a small car going at least 80. He also passed the police car in front of me with absolutely no regard. They didn't pursue. And we wonder why there are so many traffic fatalities!!!!

brian

I've read alot about how New York turned itself around over the 1990's. While there are some interesting arguments as to the actual cause, it seems that the "zero tolerance" policy has been a key factor - I can really see that working here in the UK.

Also, I think more police presence can only be good. Last year the G8 summit was held over the hill from here, and there was a huge police presence everywhere. I've never felt so safe.