Police forces accused of ‘decriminalising theft’ by failing to charge offenders – The Sun
COPS have been accused of decriminalising theft by failing to charge offenders.
In four force areas, a total of 300 personal thefts were recorded yet not one crook faced justice.
Ex-Met boss Lord Stevens warned that rising offences and falling prosecutions were a “perfect storm”.
Figures show the chances of a theft resulting in a charge have halved from 10.8 per cent in 2015 to 5.4 per cent.
It drops from 2.6 per cent to 1.3 per cent for personal theft.
Caroline Goodwin, of the Criminal Bar Association said: “If charging rates fall to close to or even zero, then the public fast feels offences are in effect being decriminalised.”
Lord Stevens said cuts were partly to blame.
He added: “The Met was short of 800 detectives, the CPS is probably under-resourced and we have heard from the Criminal Bar that courts are. All of that amounts to a perfect storm.”
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said the figures were extremely concerning.
He insisted the Government was “throwing everything we have got” at it.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
Source: Read Full Article