New force initiative
Discussion
Well, a new initiative started today in our force.
From now on a police officer will attend every theft from motor vehicle reported to us, instead of members of the public calling front office for a crime number.
This, is a good step however I fear is fundamentally flawed.
How on earth are we going to find enough officers to do this when we are stretched past breaking point already with victims of crime sometimes having to wait unnaceptable times for attendance?
It is a good step, and intrinsically a good idea but this will also decrease detected crimes as the likelihood(sp?) of a detection is minimal unless a positive hit is taken from the car. Then ,we will be criticised for not solving crimes. :irked:
May the discussion commence
[small]Please don't turn this into a mindless I hate coppers, they do nothing but sit on their arse thread - you know who you are. :D
From now on a police officer will attend every theft from motor vehicle reported to us, instead of members of the public calling front office for a crime number.
This, is a good step however I fear is fundamentally flawed.
How on earth are we going to find enough officers to do this when we are stretched past breaking point already with victims of crime sometimes having to wait unnaceptable times for attendance?
It is a good step, and intrinsically a good idea but this will also decrease detected crimes as the likelihood(sp?) of a detection is minimal unless a positive hit is taken from the car. Then ,we will be criticised for not solving crimes. :irked:
May the discussion commence
[small]Please don't turn this into a mindless I hate coppers, they do nothing but sit on their arse thread - you know who you are. :D
I recognise the manpower restraints, but this has to be a good idea. It is just not acceptable that car theft has been reduced in recent years to a minor incident. The value of the stolen car will in many cases be significantly greater than the value of property stolen in a burglary.
The level of personal violation felt is less than that caused by burglary, but is still high, as is the inconvenience and the subsequent rise in insurance premium (rapacious insurance companies are a subject worthy of a rant all of its own).
The level of personal violation felt is less than that caused by burglary, but is still high, as is the inconvenience and the subsequent rise in insurance premium (rapacious insurance companies are a subject worthy of a rant all of its own).
silverback mike said:
Well, a new initiative started today in our force.
From now on a police officer will attend every theft from motor vehicle reported to us, instead of members of the public calling front office for a crime number.
This, is a good step however I fear is fundamentally flawed.
How on earth are we going to find enough officers to do this when we are stretched past breaking point already with victims of crime sometimes having to wait unnaceptable times for attendance?
It is a good step, and intrinsically a good idea but this will also decrease detected crimes as the likelihood(sp?) of a detection is minimal unless a positive hit is taken from the car. Then ,we will be criticised for not solving crimes.
May the discussion commence
Please don't turn this into a mindless I hate coppers, they do nothing but sit on their arse thread - you know who you are.
I guess being out and about is good - but if a more important call comes along does this mean the motorist is left by the roadside waiting?
A few years ago my Golf Mk2 was broken into and the thiefing scum cut himself leaving me with a cleaning bill too! He was however caught and was ordered to pay ME the princely sum of £25 which was never replaced. I seem to remember spending more on my CD/Radio than that...
We need to stop them in the first place, I don't think that the post crime visit is going to make too many odds, plus the BiB are likely to suffer potential abuse from victims - i.e. The "You never do anything" attitude.
A few years ago my Golf Mk2 was broken into and the thiefing scum cut himself leaving me with a cleaning bill too! He was however caught and was ordered to pay ME the princely sum of £25 which was never replaced. I seem to remember spending more on my CD/Radio than that...
We need to stop them in the first place, I don't think that the post crime visit is going to make too many odds, plus the BiB are likely to suffer potential abuse from victims - i.e. The "You never do anything" attitude.
Ok, so it will be a waste of time. Should it not be tried then? Or shall we consign to the dustbin without even giving it a go.
Or maybe there are other ways, one police officer purely employed to take reports of vehicle crime?
On shifts, or 9 to 5?
In my above, I refer to james j'S post.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Sunday 4th September 19:34
Or maybe there are other ways, one police officer purely employed to take reports of vehicle crime?
On shifts, or 9 to 5?
In my above, I refer to james j'S post.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Sunday 4th September 19:34
7db said:
Community Service Officer, anyone?
Ahhhh, an excellent point. And being looked at however they are not currently used to 'detect' crimes and investigate them. A theft from M/V would need to be investigated. Therefore a Police Officer is the only option.
CSO's do a good job, but this normally involves moving yobbo's on, sitting waiting for vehicles to be recovered, seizing alcohol etc etc, the stuff that used to prevent Police officers attending crime jobs in progress / burglaries etc...
>> Edited by silverback mike on Sunday 4th September 19:44
Get out there, investigate, find the link and put the scrotes away that do this stuff.... Too bloody right Mike 
It's a minority of offenders commit the majority of crimes. Attend to them and it may actually free up officers for other stuff. About time those that made the decisions remembered the longer term picture!
I say.
It's a minority of offenders commit the majority of crimes. Attend to them and it may actually free up officers for other stuff. About time those that made the decisions remembered the longer term picture!
I say.Interesting initiative. I live in the West Midlands and I believe this policy is already in place. I have had first hand experience of it and have mixed feelings about it. I did post about my experience at the time. In short I had the bonnet badge stolen from my porker whilst it was parked in the driveway. I called West Midlands Plod to let them know, expecting to get a number on the phone. However, I was informed that I would be visited by a PC to take a statement. I was also advised that there was a 45 minute (IIRC) target from phone call to visit. A PC duly arrived checked my car, took a statement, advised that it was not worthwhile finger printing the car since I had washed it, knocked on the neighbours doors etc.
I must admit I was overwhelmed by the response. Personally I have a pragmatic view of these things, my badge was almost certainly taken by kids to add to their collection and I really don't see what Plod could do about it. In my case I was lefy wondering if it really was worth Plod taking over an hour to deal with this case. However, I certainly can't claim that "Plod wern't interested".
pp
I must admit I was overwhelmed by the response. Personally I have a pragmatic view of these things, my badge was almost certainly taken by kids to add to their collection and I really don't see what Plod could do about it. In my case I was lefy wondering if it really was worth Plod taking over an hour to deal with this case. However, I certainly can't claim that "Plod wern't interested".
pp
What you will see Mike is the spin from Avon? police they will be responding to the increased complaints that victims make about the lack of action on vehicle theft. So lets pick something to forget about for a while, say shoplifting or vandalisum, then wack out some facts on car crime reduction on HTV and then forget about car crime and go back to something else. I feel really sorry for you guys who have to jump when and where you are told only to still get the verbal from the public. We need more police not hato's cso or what ever is dreamt up to police on the cheap, when will the powers in charge realise that criminals are winning, there is only the odd bit of sucess that you guys can have with the hand you are dealt.
Pickled Piper said:
Interesting initiative. I live in the West Midlands and I believe this policy is already in place. I have had first hand experience of it and have mixed feelings about it. I did post about my experience at the time. In short I had the bonnet badge stolen from my porker whilst it was parked in the driveway. I called West Midlands Plod to let them know, expecting to get a number on the phone. However, I was informed that I would be visited by a PC to take a statement. I was also advised that there was a 45 minute (IIRC) target from phone call to visit. A PC duly arrived checked my car, took a statement, advised that it was not worthwhile finger printing the car since I had washed it, knocked on the neighbours doors etc.
I must admit I was overwhelmed by the response. Personally I have a pragmatic view of these things, my badge was almost certainly taken by kids to add to their collection and I really don't see what Plod could do about it. In my case I was lefy wondering if it really was worth Plod taking over an hour to deal with this case. However, I certainly can't claim that "Plod wern't interested".
pp
Nice to hear you being positive, and you are indeed, quite correct. The likelihood of catching an offender is very very minimal as there would in all likelihood be no evidence in your case, so a bit of a waste of time.
However, you felt that we were interested - first plus point, you had some personal treatment, and as a taxpayer, you deserve it.
Also, if your car was undercover, the crime happened say, 10 mins ago, they didn't have gloves on, there is a good probability that a print could have been lifted. - Brings us onto another problem, SOCO resources....more would have to be employed to cope with the sudden influx of PC's hoping to detect car crimes.
Interesting and worthwhile points being brought up by all.
spaximus said:
What you will see Mike is the spin from Avon? police they will be responding to the increased complaints that victims make about the lack of action on vehicle theft. So lets pick something to forget about for a while, say shoplifting or vandalisum, then wack out some facts on car crime reduction on HTV and then forget about car crime and go back to something else. I feel really sorry for you guys who have to jump when and where you are told only to still get the verbal from the public. We need more police not hato's cso or what ever is dreamt up to police on the cheap, when will the powers in charge realise that criminals are winning, there is only the odd bit of sucess that you guys can have with the hand you are dealt.
I see your point, but theft and criminal damage can't be ignored. This is another aspect of theft that is agreed cannot be ignored, but in many cases there is simply nothing that can be investigated, and no chance of a detection.......or is there? Hence investigating them all now.
silverback mike said:Can you clarify that one mike? Is it something like going round and getting a statement from a mugging victim, or is it a social services type cuppa? If the former then yes it's a good call to continue with it, if the latter then gordelpus. Even MoP don't see it as a police priority to hold hands. Dorsetplod did a survey and found supporting victims of crime was placed tenth out of ten suggested priorities for the police, one behind catching speeders.
...victims of crime sometimes having to wait unnaceptable times for attendance...
turbobloke said:
...victims of crime sometimes having to wait unnaceptable times for attendance...
Can you clarify that one mike? Is it something like going round and getting a statement from a mugging victim, or is it a social services type cuppa? If the former then yes it's a good call to continue with it, if the latter then gordelpus. Even MoP don't see it as a police priority to hold hands. Dorsetplod did a survey and found supporting victims of crime was placed tenth out of ten suggested priorities for the police, one behind catching speeders.
Our new head honcho seems to have his head on right. He is pushing for detected crimes, all the desk pilots have to turn out for warrants, anti violence days, and so far, his policies are to 'get in there' and sort it out. I don't think his priorities are speeders. I like the no nonsence approach.
Dwight VanDriver said:
SBM
Your not taking into account what Clarke and Mears are to do. Chop the 40 odd forces down to 30 something so more men (on paper). Soon there will be one on every corner....
Good initiative. I applaud it.
dvd
Yes DVD,
I have heard rumblings of that note, South West constabulary anyone? ie Avon, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall......If a crime has been commited it must be investigated.
Yes it could drop the BIB detection rates,but only to there correct level.I mean you never detected the crime before but because nobody investigated it wasn't recorded
Remember some very dangerous criminals were caught because the commited silly crimes,Yorkshire ripper for example
Yes it could drop the BIB detection rates,but only to there correct level.I mean you never detected the crime before but because nobody investigated it wasn't recorded
Remember some very dangerous criminals were caught because the commited silly crimes,Yorkshire ripper for example
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