By Hayden Smith, Ian Jones and Ralph Blackburn
Hampshire Police (which includes the Isle of Wight) close investigations without identifying a suspect in eight out of ten household burglaries and three quarters of reported vehicle thefts, new analysis shows.
They also ended more than half of shoplifting cases with the same outcome.
14,000 investigations closed
Across the three offences, around 14,000 investigations in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were shut with no suspected culprit in the frame, the Press Association found.
The revelations prompted warnings that victims could be put off reporting offences, while criminals are given a “green light to reoffend”.
Police chiefs say increased demand and reduced officer numbers mean they have to prioritise cases where there is a realistic chance of prosecution.
80% of cases “no suspect identified”
The figures were extracted from Home Office crime outcomes data, and cover the 12 months to March 2018.
They show that out of the 6,654 household burglary cases opened over that period by Hampshire Police, 80% were categorised as “investigation complete – no suspect identified”.
This is used when a reported crime has been investigated “as far as reasonably possible” and the case is closed pending further investigative opportunities.
Of the total burglary cases, Hampshire Police brought 277 people to court.
Other investigations
Of the 2,250 vehicle thefts recorded in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 77% ended up with no suspect being identified, while in the 13,770 shoplifting cases, 7,057 of them were closed with the same outcome.
The police charged 87 suspects with car theft, and 2,901 for shoplifting.
Cooper: “A green light to reoffend”
Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs committee, said:
“Too many investigations are closing without suspects being identified and we are hearing increasing reports of the police being too overstretched to investigate.
“Police forces are under immense pressure with rising serious and violent crime and changing patterns of crime alongside cuts in the numbers of officers and PCSOs.
“These figures suggest that investigations into volume crimes are now being hit. Failing to identify suspects gives criminals a green light to reoffend.”
Undermines confidence in criminal justice system
The country’s larger police forces tended to have higher percentages of cases closed without a suspect being identified.
Alex Mayes, of charity Victim Support, said:
“News like this could undermine confidence in the criminal justice system and prevent people reporting in the future.”
RAC Insurance: “Thieves have little fear of being caught”
RAC Insurance spokesman Simon Williams said motorists will be “shocked” by the findings.
He said,
“This is a sign that thieves have found ways around car security systems and have ways of selling vehicles on with little or no fear of being caught.”
Increased demand and fewer officers
Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for acquisitive crime, said increased demand and fewer officer numbers have led to forces prioritising cases with a realistic prospect of prosecution.
She added:
“Police investigate all cases of theft, burglary and shoplifting. Particularly for these types of offences, police focus on targeting prolific offenders, organised crime networks, and ensuring prevention measures by homeowners and businesses are in place.”
A Home Office spokesman said:
“We expect the police to take all reports of crime seriously, to investigate and to bring the offenders to court so that they can receive appropriate punishment.
“However we recognise that crime is changing and police demand is becoming increasingly complex. That is why we have provided a strong and comprehensive £13 billion funding settlement to ensure the police have the resources they need to carry out their vital work.”
Article shared by Data Reporter as part of OnTheWight’s collaboration with Press Association and Urbs Media
