Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East
Thurrock, has welcomed news that the public will get a clearer picture of how
police are tackling crime with the introduction of more detailed crime
categories.
Under the current system, 70 per cent of crimes are recorded
as ‘undetected’, leaving victims and the public concerned that nothing has been
done by police. Under the new recording framework a new ‘community resolution’
category will recognise the community penalties that criminals receive,
increasing transparency and improving accountability.
‘Undetected’ offences also include cases where ‘no further
action’ was taken as the police were unable to mount a prosecution, either because
there was insufficient evidence, the alleged victim did not want to proceed or
because one party died after the offence was committed.
Commenting, Conservative MP Stephen Metcalfe said:
“Recording offences as ‘undetected’ when in fact a lot of police time and
effort has gone into investigating the offence is totally misleading and sells
our police officers short. It is inaccurate and it is good news that the
Government are scrapping it.”
“Residents in South Basildon and East Thurrock want to know
more about crime and policing in our area and this change will mean they get
better information. It builds on the very popular online crime maps on the
‘Police.uk’ website in giving local people a clearer picture of what is
happening in our area.”
Conservative Policing and Criminal Justice Minister Damian
Green said: “By introducing new categories, the police will be able to
demonstrate the hard work they do and increase public transparency in
policing.”
