Suggestions that police are ‘encouraging’ victims to investigate offences themselves have been met with an overwhelmingly negative reaction by Manchester.
Criminal damage and car crime were isolated as offences that were almost ignored by police, who were on the verge of ‘giving up’, according to a police watchdog report.
In some cases, victims were asked to hunt for evidence themselves by checking their own CCTV or by gathering fingerprints.
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, highlighted budget cuts as the reason for the approach and said: “The reality of austerity in policing means that forces must ensure that their officers’ time is put to best use and this means prioritising calls.”
In some cases, this meant a victim who was not in danger would be dealt with over the phone adding that this was ‘not an abdication of forces’ duty of care to victims’.
“The simple fact than an officer doesn’t turn up does not mean the offence has not been taken seriously,” he added.
However, the inspector who led the review, Roger Baker, blames the culture amongst police staff.
He said: “So it’s not the fault of the individual staff; it’s a mindset thing that’s crept in to policing to say ‘We’ve almost given up’.”
So MM asked:
Do you know how to take fingerprints from a crime scene?
| Yes | No |
| 0% | 100% |
All Mancunians who responded insisted that they did not know how to gather fingerprints from a crime scene.
Steve Quinn, 52, from Salford, admitted he would not know where even to begin if the police needed him to collect fingerprints.
The local government worker said: “It’s bizarre. You would not want to do it yourself.
“It is almost vigilantism. It doesn’t shock me but it is absolutely ridiculous.”
CUTS TO BLAME: Marianne Doherty believes austerity measures have affected policing
Marianne Doherty, 54, from Salford, blamed the news on austerity measures.
She said: “They seem to have enough funding for NATO summits in Wales but none for these services.
“I recently had my bag stolen and the police response left a lot to be desired.”
DEJA VU: Asia Czerwinska has already had to do a spot of amateur sleuthing
Asia Czerwinska, an IT worker from North Manchester, also believes the news is linked to the cuts.
“Austerity has definitely affected the police force. When I had my bank details stolen the police told me to gather the evidence myself including finding what cash point it was used at. I do not think it is right,” said the 30-year-old.
Some members of the public believed that there is a culture of laziness amongst the police.
Clifford Quinn, a 30-year-old customer services worker from Cheetham Hill, said: “It’s a really bad idea.
BAD EXPERIENCE: Clifford Quinn’s dad has already felt the force of police cuts
“My dad had to report criminal damage to the police recently, taking time off and losing a day’s wages, yet he was told they could not do anything as it was a victimless crime.”
Marie Pearson, 72 from Frodsham, had similar experiences with the police.
She said: “My shed got broken into yet the police response was poor.
“I could have been claiming I had pots of gold in there to my insurers and the police would have been none the wiser.”
Some respondents worried about the affect this news will have on their business.
Shop owner Christina Gibson, 44, told MM how police did not visit her premises after criminal damage was reported.
“A man drove into the wall of the shop, but all the police did was ask us to check our own CCTV.
“I think it is laziness on the part of the police.”
SHAPE UP: Kelly Field has lost faith in the cops
Kelly Field, 31, from Middleton, agrees that the police are not working hard enough.
“You might as well not be calling in the first place,” said the Manchester Metropolitan student.
Ali Mehrban, 22, from Chorlton, believes that police inaction on the frontline will only increase rates of petty crime in Manchester.
“If people are being told to investigate their own crime themselves then it could encourage criminals to commit more of the same as they know the police will not be chasing after them.”
Graham Richards, 63, from Middleton, believes that police response times are linked to the area they serve.
Image courtesy of West Midlands Police with thanks
