Monday 11 March 2013

Stephen Metcalfe MP welcomes clearer information on local crimes


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.”