Cuts mean criminals go scott-free, says chief constable

Criminals are going unpunished because of police cuts, according to the chief constable of West Midlands police.

Dave Thompson said his force is letting criminals get away because of the pressure his officers are under. “We are not always able to take the fight to the criminals in the way we would want – in some routine cases, the delays and stretch are resulting in charges not being brought as they would have years ago,” he said.

He believes this is eroding public faith in the force. “What is cheesing off the public is the routine stuff. That’s the stuff for the vast majority that affects legitimacy and confidence,” he says. “It’s the phone not getting answered, and not turning up for some jobs people expect us to do. That is damaging confidence and legitimacy.”

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The comments come as the government is trying to “fend off criticism” that its 19% funding cut to the police since 2010, which has led to 45,000 officers and staff being lost, has threatened public safety, says The Guardian.

This morning, the emergency services watchdog warned that forces are under “significant pressure”.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services declared that the “cracks in the system are widening,” as it released inspections of 14 forces in a report today.

Its study found a national shortage of detectives, with 14% of roles vacant. This means around 25% of thefts and common assaults are being probed by under-qualified officers, drafted in to fill the gaps.

Matt Parr, who led the inspection, said: “Response officers didn’t do investigations. Now they do. They don’t have the same accreditation, they don’t have the same experience.”

John Apter, chair of the Police Federation, said the report “lays bare the consequences of years of austerity cuts”.

In response, the Home Office said: “We recognise new demands are putting pressure on the police and we are committed to ensuring they have the resource they need.”