The police have better things to do with their time....

[Jaglover]

..than arresting people for stealing.

BBC said:

Police 'sorry' after letter gaffe A police force has apologised after an officer issued a crime prevention letter advising people not to report shoplifting thefts worth less than £75. The overzealous Dorset Police officer also wrongly said Human Rights legislation prevented the public from detaining a crime suspect. The letter was distributed to traders across Boscombe in Bournemouth. Supt Nick Hazelton said the letter was sent without consultation and all allegations of crime would be recorded. While sent with the good intention of reducing crime, the letter... was a mistake and incorrect Supt Nick Hazelton "I would like to apologise to retailers who were led to believe that we may have changed our policy," he added. "We have not changed our policy and we record all allegations of crime before assessing the best level of investigation in order to bring offenders to justice. "The references in the letter to not calling the police for thefts of items below a value of £75 and the references to Human Rights legislation preventing the public from detaining people they suspect of having carried out a crime are incorrect. "While sent with the good intention of reducing crime, the letter sent to traders in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth by a local police officer was a mistake and incorrect - it does not reflect Dorset Police policy." The incorrect letter also came to the attention of Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, who went as far as "calling for an urgent meeting with Dorset Chief Constable, Martin Baker" about its contents. Mr Ellwood also said he would be "writing to the home secretary for an explanation".

[scorp]

Saw this on the 'wright stuff' this morning. Might aswell go out a nick what i want then, aslong as its no more than £74.99 (as was said on the programme)

[ewenm]

Jaglover said:

..than arresting people for stealing. BBC said: ...While sent with the good intention of reducing crime, the letter... was a mistake and incorrect...

So not reporting the crime means that it hasn't happened???!!!

>> Edited by ewenm on Thursday 9th February 12:32

[tinman0]

ewenm said:

Jaglover said: ..than arresting people for stealing. BBC said: ...While sent with the good intention of reducing crime, the letter... was a mistake and incorrect... So not reporting the crime means that it hasn't happened???!!!

thats what i thought. about to post the same thing in fact.