To expect all crime to be dealt with properly?

[Rosebud74]

NC for confidentiality. Today I witnessed and reported a crime, think something around theft category. A PCSO was eventually dispatched, by which time criminals had left.

I've been told that if they're ever found, they'll only ever just be ticked off and told not to do this on this patch. They're never arrested and processed properly through the court because the system is too clogged up with murderers and knife crime.

I have reported a few crimes over the years, as witness and against myself. Today was the only time anyone's even bothered to come out and see me.

I have been told by the police far too often that they don't even bother to make arrests because they have too much on. AIBU to think the criminal justice system shouldn't only exist for murder and knife crime, but for all the other crimes too which affect us daily?

First off, you know fine well that the recent GE was very much a one issue election.

So ? Is that my fault ? Is that the OPs ? It's what society wanted. It's what society got.

Secondly, I'm Scottish and the answer to the question was very different here and absolutely does bear out my assertion. The SNP increased income tax in 2018-19 and did rather well in the GE regardless.

The UK - for now - is ruled from Westminster, and it's Westminster that makes laws and allocates the money (or otherwise) to pay for them. That's pretty much endof.

People - for now - have a right to complain and air their grievances. But they have to bear in mind that (once again) as a society we've made our choices. And this being a democracy, the options are limited. Either complain (as the OP is doing), protest (as many do) or try to persuade society to take a different tack (which some do). Beyond that, you pretty much get to suck it up.

Aren't we promised a slew of new laws ? That'll be fun.

My alternative to police being paid and not doing their job, would be police who do what they are supposed to do. If that requires more money, either the money should be spent or give up on having a police force.

I don't know about the uk, as I have lived too many years outside it, but certainly in the 90s in Dublin they only protected the moneyed classes and were very well paid.

My alternative to police being paid and not doing their job, would be police who do what they are supposed to do.

The problem there, is what the public think the police are there for, and what the politicians who pay the police think they are there for can be two rather separate beasts.

I would like this but do I expect it? FRom my experience no.

To assume because a person hasn't been arrested doesn't mean they're not dealt with. Changes in legislation and bail mean that arrest cannot often be justified. Without the legal NECESSITY to arrest, suspects are asked to voluntarily attend an interview appointment . During the interview their rights are the same as if they had been arrested, and the interview is done under caution, but they are not under arrest. This is how things work now and believe me, as a police officer there are many things about the system that are massively frustrating, but our hands are tied to work with both the legislation and resources we have got.

Also to add, as pp have mentioned, I can confirm that the cuts to council funding.. and therefore social support/mental health/ youth services etc. Has had a huge knock on effect to police and what police have to deal with along side just investigating crime.

Without the legal NECESSITY to arrest, suspects are asked to voluntarily attend an interview appointment

People forget that arrest is a hell of a step to take. Not only is it depriving a person of their liberty (which is an assumed right we all have) but it sets in train a series of events which if followed to their logical and ultimate conclusion can permit the police to kill a person. So the fact it's (allegedly) not used willy-nilly should be a comfort to anyone who likes law and order.

Yes, the police are not “dial a bang up”.

When the stories came to power, my force had 8000 officers. Our chief constable at the time stated that to police the area effectively, we would need closer to 10000.

As a result of cuts, we now have a little over 6000 officers.

As a result of cuts to other services, we are now dealing with more and more calls re mental health and various other things that previously other agencies would have dealt with.

It’s basic maths.

Tories, not stories!