When does crime start and finish?
I HAVE now taken into consideration the contents of articles recently published in your Grimsby Telegraph, including one from a PCSO.
I am a member of the public and cannot believe what I am reading.
PCSOs are "nipping problems in the bud" with a new Shop Diary listing incidents of theft on items under £20.
Where and when does a crime start and finish – regardless of the value of the theft? How many potential thefts under £20 can now be committed with a PCSO commenting that the system is working.
This leads me to the understanding that no potential thief, regardless of his crime under £20, will ever be interviewed by a PCSO, which will also reduce details of the Humberside force's recorded crime figures.
It is a very satisfying achievement when you clear away a crime – regardless of the value – but the real detective work comes when you can continue to interview your thief about other or recent crimes committed and recorded in the same area. How many more crimes is he responsible for?
What interviewing skills do our PCSOs have?
"You are lucky mate, the two bottles of rum which you nicked are only worth £19.99, we will put it in the Shop Diary."
But did he know that two bottles of rum had been nicked from four other off-licences and all entered into their Shop Diary?
Are the tried and well-tested procedures of dealing with any crime now being forsaken, which only gives a false recording that no crime was committed?
I wanted to mention a recent case when a woman was jailed for four years after a distraction burglary, stealing £25 from a purse of an 85-year-old lady.
Lincoln Crown Court heard the woman plead guilty to this crime and 25 other offences were "taken into consideration".
This reflects the efficient and professional handling of a serious crime by CID and our uniformed officers.
The heading of the PCSO article was "Nipping problems in the bud" – I feel that this system should be "nipped in the bud".
Mr RT Ayre, Brampton Way, Cleethorpes.
A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "We are grateful for all of the feedback we have received in relation to the shop theft issue and welcome any further responses from the public as we continue the shop theft trial which, although still in its infancy, has the potential to have a positive impact on retailers in North East Lincolnshire."
The Telegraph says
in reality there are many shopkeepers who will not have bothered contacting the police over small thefts. This scheme means those thefts will be recorded and has led to PCSOs visiting the families of those involved in stealing. Isn't that an increased response?
7 Comments
by Joshua, great coates
Thursday, September 02 2010, 10:35AM
“If the criminal is caught re handed then why the requirement for a trial?
He should be flogged and all he owns confiscated and given to the victim.
If the criminal doesn't own anything then 20% of his annual turnover should be paid to the victim for a year.
If he fails to pay a flogging each week is in order and every week he doesn't pay.”
by John, At home
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 6:40PM
“An awful lot of people make a great deal of money from our legal system. It is a "nice little earner" for the police, legal professionals, judges, magistrates, probation officers and so on. Even the insurance companies make a killing when we insure against events that should never happen in a civilised society.
Unfortunately no-one in our legal system has embraced the concept that there should be some justice for the victims of crime.
Far more money is spent on ensuring that the criminal gets a "fair deal" than is spent ensuring that the victim has the same opportunity.”
by Lucy Stephenson, Grimsby
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:34AM
“I think this scheme is absolutely ridiculous and needs to be scrapped. Just another way to lower the crime stats for the area.
GET's comment is also irrelevant as per usual.”
by Joshua, great coates
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:56AM
“Unfortunately we suffered a robbery in our dwelling some 5 years back.
All the police did was to give us a crime number. They didn't even bother to visit.
And they say crime doesn't pay. :)
Just to think 20 years ago we didn't even have a lock on our front or back doors and were NEVER burgled.”
by Joshua, Great Coates
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:52AM
“I truly believe the actions of "Zero Tolerance" should be practiced by the Police and the Courts as this country is far too soft on the Criminals.
The payments and sympathy requires to be redirected to the Victims.”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 8:36AM
“Which makes an absolute nonsense of all their promises and pledges on zero tolerance'.
It is a farce.”
by Jimbo, Grimsby
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 4:15PM
“The GT comment rather misses the point - shopkeepers don't bother reporting because they don't get any response. A crime is a crime and getting away with the small stuff leads on to getting away with the bigger stuff.”