Thousands of cases dropped
DERBYSHIRE Constabulary decided not to make enquiries into over 12,000 crimes this year – a 45 per cent rise in the number of reported crimes not investigated.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act revealed police still “screened out” more incidents, despite the number of reported crimes dropping.
Crimes are screened out when officers feel they are unlikely to be solved using available resources.
Officers thought 12,115 crimes from November, 2007, to October 2008 were not worth investigating, 3,750 more than the previous year.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Goodwin said his force had to assess the most effective way to spend its time and money.
He said: “As a service we have to manage demand but also provide a level of reassurance to the public, which is, of course, a fine balancing act.
"We deal with around 80,000 crimes a year. Realistically, we cannot attend every one, nor is it necessarily a requirement to.”
The screened out cases this year included six sex offences and two robberies.
And officers decided 41 per cent of thefts from vehicles, 34 per cent of bike thefts and 32 per cent of vehicle thefts were not worth investigating.The police chief said officers prioritised crimes where there was a realistic chance of arresting and charging suspects, but would always investigate cases further if new evidence emerged.
“The level of response needed to each crime is assessed individually and in some circumstances, where it meets the set criteria and the complainant is satisfied, an officer will not attend.
"To be able to respond quickly and efficiently to crimes that require an officer to attend we have to prioritise and as part of that process certain crimes are screened,” he added.
Between November, 2007, and October 2008, Derbyshire Constabulary screened out 15.1 per cent of the 75,696 offences reported to it.
In the previous year, 8,365 of the 81,694 recorded offences were not investigated.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Ilkeston
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
