Page 2 | If police aren’t investigating crime, what exactly are they doing?

MyAmusedOpalCrab · 2025-08-17T18:28:24+00:00

I keep seeing reports about police forces being stretched, backlogs of cases, and victims being told their crimes won’t be investigated. At the same time, we hear about officers spending time on things like social media monitoring, diversity training, or non-crime “interventions.” Obviously, some of this is necessary but if solving actual crimes isn’t the priority, then what is? What exactly are they being paid to do if not investigate crime? AIBU to think policing has lost its way? Or am I missing something?

BallerinaRadio · 17/08/2025 20:03

Mrsmunchofmunchington · 17/08/2025 20:01

In my area they seem to spend a lot of time at “family fun days” and similar.
I presume this is an attempt at public relations.

It is a stupid waste of resources but having met our community beat officer and her sidekick pcso I think it is about all they are fit for.

No it's about being involved in the community and finding out what's going on. You know, policing.

Maddy70 · 17/08/2025 20:04

Crowd control football matches, concerts, protests etc

Tablesandchairs23 · 17/08/2025 20:05

MyAmusedOpalCrab · 17/08/2025 19:37

I meant things like burglary, assault, theft, even car crime. Crimes where there’s a clear victim and often evidence but they’re still not followed up. I get there’s nuance but if those aren’t priorities anymore, what is?

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They rarely investigate these crimes. Too low level for them.

Lou670 · 17/08/2025 20:06

EsmaCannonball · 17/08/2025 19:57

The regular, uniformed police officers I know say they spend literally 99% of the job dealing with drunks, drug addicts and the mentally ill. It's not what they signed up for and it's very demoralising.

Same as nursing then. These people still need help. If it's not what they signed up for then maybe its the wrong career choice for them. Surely they can't have been that naive?

DiscoBob · 17/08/2025 20:07

The most common crime I believe is fraud. And they're woeful at investigating it. They just claim the person is based abroad. So they can't do anything.

Even when it was face to face they didn't seem to care. They just sat there with the victim who was desperately trying to call to cancel their cards, as they had no online banking.

I honestly don't know what they do. I'd say process well known faces, druggies and the like who just go on a merry-go-round of being nicked, released, then nicked again as soon as the cops see them. As they know they'll have drugs on them. But not the big dealers. So even that doesn't seem to be a deterrent.

PGmicstand · 17/08/2025 20:07

I know someone who is a police constable. Across our area, the number of officers was cut as a reduction on spending (some govt. initiative a while ago when several thousand police personnel were stood down).
Lots of callous for a myriad of things, and a ton of paperwork plus changes in what is a civil and what is a police matter.

EvelynBeatrice · 17/08/2025 20:09

I believe loads of time is taken up with welfare checks, the drug or drink addled, the mentally ill, the out of control kids and teens. Not what we think of as their core tasks. A bit like teachers, they have to be social workers and health professionals too now, instead of focusing on their ‘core’ tasks.

Redglitter · 17/08/2025 20:13

If theyre response theyre going non stop from one call to another for the duration of their shift.

Several will be sitting in A&E dealing with people having a MH crisis.

Looking for a 'vulnerable' missing person. The kind thats been missing already half a dozen times this month.

Dealing with protectors etc

The crimes aren't getting fully investigated not because they dont care, far from It but they don't have time.

If at the start of the shift there are 6 cars and 20 calls sitting it doesn't take a genius to work out the maths donf work

They are doing a 10 hour shift with no break most days. So next time you see a police car parked on double yellows os a shop, instead of reporting them or posting on fb think about how that stop is the only break they'll get and whatever they buy will be eaten in the car en route to a call. They're kept so busy they have to ask us to allow them a 5 min pit stop at the office to pee. Think of your job. Would you be happy having no break in a 10 hour day, and having to ask to be allowed to pee

Every agency is broken, but the police are the bottom of the dumping ground. If SW, your GP, ambulance control, personal alarm companies run out of time or resources they dump the call on the police.

Believe me the cops on the shifts are as fed up as the public. They know they're not providing the public with the service they deserve. Nor are thdy doing the job they signed up for but there's nothing they can do. Change has to come from the top

PGmicstand · 17/08/2025 20:16

*call-outs

Where the person I know works, they have 2 police officers for the whole town

justaddittothelist · 17/08/2025 20:23

BallerinaRadio · 17/08/2025 20:02

So many people on here coming at the police having no idea at all what is involved in their job, all probably getting their information from the same places. I'm not saying the police are above criticism or beyond reproach but honestly it's pathetic

This!!

Sillibilliboi · 17/08/2025 20:25

Tiredjusttired · 17/08/2025 19:37

Most callouts are for drunk and disorderly, antisocial, mental health and elderly. It takes up all their time.

The OP asked "if solving actual crimes isn't the priority, what is?"

That's not "coming at the police", it's to do with policy decisions made at the very top. Police will prioritise what they're told to prioritise.

As @Tiredjusttired says above, most callouts aren't to what we think of as actual crimes. So what's the answer? How on earth do we begin to tackle drunk and disorderly, antisocial, mental health and elderly callouts? I don't know the answer but it's plain to see that these issues are constantly increasing. Does anyone have any solutions??

It feels a bit like society is breaking down. I'd genuinely love to know how we stop that happening.

JustBiscoff · 17/08/2025 20:27

stalking and harassing people for posting hurty statements against illegal immigrants on social media.

justaddittothelist · 17/08/2025 20:28

Redglitter · 17/08/2025 20:13

If theyre response theyre going non stop from one call to another for the duration of their shift.

Several will be sitting in A&E dealing with people having a MH crisis.

Looking for a 'vulnerable' missing person. The kind thats been missing already half a dozen times this month.

Dealing with protectors etc

The crimes aren't getting fully investigated not because they dont care, far from It but they don't have time.

If at the start of the shift there are 6 cars and 20 calls sitting it doesn't take a genius to work out the maths donf work

They are doing a 10 hour shift with no break most days. So next time you see a police car parked on double yellows os a shop, instead of reporting them or posting on fb think about how that stop is the only break they'll get and whatever they buy will be eaten in the car en route to a call. They're kept so busy they have to ask us to allow them a 5 min pit stop at the office to pee. Think of your job. Would you be happy having no break in a 10 hour day, and having to ask to be allowed to pee

Every agency is broken, but the police are the bottom of the dumping ground. If SW, your GP, ambulance control, personal alarm companies run out of time or resources they dump the call on the police.

Believe me the cops on the shifts are as fed up as the public. They know they're not providing the public with the service they deserve. Nor are thdy doing the job they signed up for but there's nothing they can do. Change has to come from the top

100% this.

Members of public should be able to spend a couple nights out on patrol, then they would see exactly what it's like and stop with the 'police do nufink' attitude.

ArmySurplusHamster · 17/08/2025 20:29

Responding to concerns for safety - a highly distressed individual about to take their life.

Suicide is not a crime and should not be a policing priory.

Bambamhoohoo · 17/08/2025 20:30

I don’t really understand what you mean. Why do you think the police aren’t investigating crimes? Are you guessing?

yes, crime and the way it’s investigated has changed since we were kids. It’s less visible but that doesn’t equal police not doing anything.

you should watch some 24 hours in police custody, it’s amazing

Bambamhoohoo · 17/08/2025 20:31

JustBiscoff · 17/08/2025 20:27

stalking and harassing people for posting hurty statements against illegal immigrants on social media.

watch out. They’re good at dealing with grooming and radicalisation too

Thisismyalterego · 17/08/2025 20:34

Redglitter · 17/08/2025 20:13

If theyre response theyre going non stop from one call to another for the duration of their shift.

Several will be sitting in A&E dealing with people having a MH crisis.

Looking for a 'vulnerable' missing person. The kind thats been missing already half a dozen times this month.

Dealing with protectors etc

The crimes aren't getting fully investigated not because they dont care, far from It but they don't have time.

If at the start of the shift there are 6 cars and 20 calls sitting it doesn't take a genius to work out the maths donf work

They are doing a 10 hour shift with no break most days. So next time you see a police car parked on double yellows os a shop, instead of reporting them or posting on fb think about how that stop is the only break they'll get and whatever they buy will be eaten in the car en route to a call. They're kept so busy they have to ask us to allow them a 5 min pit stop at the office to pee. Think of your job. Would you be happy having no break in a 10 hour day, and having to ask to be allowed to pee

Every agency is broken, but the police are the bottom of the dumping ground. If SW, your GP, ambulance control, personal alarm companies run out of time or resources they dump the call on the police.

Believe me the cops on the shifts are as fed up as the public. They know they're not providing the public with the service they deserve. Nor are thdy doing the job they signed up for but there's nothing they can do. Change has to come from the top

100% this.

My DC who is a police officer has, on occasion, spent the entire shift waiting in a&e with a person with MH issues. On several occasions, when taking a few minutes between calls to grab a drink or sandwich from a local shop, has spotted someone on the 'wanted' list and has arrested them. Then had to do the hours of paperwork required for the arrest. Frequently takes phone calls or answers emails about cases they are working, whilst on rest days or on holiday. DC has also had riot training, so is also on call for protests etc. Recently was at a protest in London and after that, was bussed across to Epping to help with the protest outside the hotel. That was a long day, but just one of many. DC doesn't complain about it, they understand it's what they signed up for.

Original poster

MyAmusedOpalCrab · 17/08/2025 20:36

Bambamhoohoo · 17/08/2025 20:30

I don’t really understand what you mean. Why do you think the police aren’t investigating crimes? Are you guessing?

yes, crime and the way it’s investigated has changed since we were kids. It’s less visible but that doesn’t equal police not doing anything.

you should watch some 24 hours in police custody, it’s amazing

It’s not just a guess, it’s based on repeated reports of victims being told their case won’t be pursued due to “lack of resources” or it “not being a priority.” I agree not all police work is visible but when people are openly saying their burglaries, assaults, or thefts weren’t investigated at all, it’s fair to ask where the capacity is being used.

OP posts:

WonderingWanda · 17/08/2025 20:36

EvelynBeatrice · 17/08/2025 20:09

I believe loads of time is taken up with welfare checks, the drug or drink addled, the mentally ill, the out of control kids and teens. Not what we think of as their core tasks. A bit like teachers, they have to be social workers and health professionals too now, instead of focusing on their ‘core’ tasks.

Lots of this for sure. And there simply aren't enough of them to respond to all the incidents.

citygirl77 · 17/08/2025 20:37

My husband was in a nasty hit and run car accident. Of course the driver was uninsured. We managed to locate his address and full name in London. Our local police force gave the details to the Met. They said they didn’t have the resources to go round to his house. Yet we were in London recently and there were loads of officers surrounding a demonstration. This person was driving an uninsured car, which he bought cheap for cash, at a port and was driving through the Cotswolds. County lines was my first thought, and the gentleman was from overseas, but no, not serious enough.

Theunamedcat · 17/08/2025 20:51

We had a huge fight in our town loads of teenagers one was battered filmed posted on social media after three days of no visible action from the police they demand the footage is taken down the family comply and pass on the names of the children and adult witness details the police put out an appeal for witnesses and again people publicly come forward naming names etc then they NFA it due to "lack of evidence" meanwhile the family whose child was attacked is being stalked by the parents of the attackers again the police do nothing they tell the family they shouldn't have put the fight all over social media of COURSE the family will be upset wouldn't you? (Why yes they were upset their child was beaten for likes and was hospitalised) after a few months the victims move areas and a few months later another child gets beaten

It's things like this that destroy trust they were given every opportunity and didn't act

Insidemyownhead · 17/08/2025 20:55

Hi, partner is police. 99% of the time he’s called to domestic incidents because people can’t be in relationships like grown adults anymore, or sitting at the bedsides of hospital beds or cells because everyone is either suicidal or abusive to staff now… ie, not actively policing.

ThePoshUns · 17/08/2025 20:55

Dealing with mental health issues the majority of the time

tinytemper66 · 17/08/2025 20:56

A vulnerable adult I care for was robbed by an acquaintance today. Luckily someone witnessed it. Within 3 hrs she was arrested. She constantly harasses him but this time there was a witness so hopefully she will be dealt with. The police were great.

Jtdoyoveme · 17/08/2025 20:57

It’s a scary world. I know someone who had their car stolen then saw it for sale at a garage 4 hours away. The police were called and they said there’s nothing they could do. In the end the owner went to the garage, took it for a test drive and drove off with it. Waiting for the call to say the owner was in the wrong 😡