Skip to Content

Have Property Offences become decriminalised?

A recent report has concluded that because the police are not treating crimes such as shoplifting and theft as a priority the offences have almost become decriminalised.

Whilst it is acknowledged that crime has fallen by a fifth in recent years a substantial amount of petty theft is going unreported, and the problem is not being addressed.

Victims of theft will normally report the incident to the police just to obtain a crime number for an insurance claim, the statistics show that a third of all burglaries and 90% of shoplifting cases go unreported.

Much of the reason why shoplifting goes unreported is because the shopkeepers feel the police are unable to undertake a successful prosecution.

Much of this comes down to resources, we have recently seen the introduction of new IT enabling motoring offenders to enter a plea on-line, it must not be so difficult to extend the use of IT for the police and victims of crime to cut down on paperwork, time and inconvenience, and so free up more time to focus on the organised gangs, repeat offenders that are behind much of this crime.

With the majority of crime in deprived areas, investment in social measures to reduce crime is essential.

For police to turn a blind eye to any crime cannot be acceptable under any circumstance.

Unfortunately with a 20% budget cut for the police on the horizon they will face a very difficult balancing act.

Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Children and the Law Leaving a child at home.

There is no age laid down by the law stating when your child is old enough to be left home alone; however, it is against the law to leave a child home alone if..

Children and the Law - Smacking

Children and the Law - Smacking.
It is surprising that the UK have not adopted the same stance as in Europe where the EU have adopted a clearer stance in makin..

Domestic Violence Guide

Domestic violence is not just physical violence, it can take many forms, which a person may use to control a partner, if you are suffering domestic violence cal..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Finders Keepers | Finders Law

Finders Keepers | Finders Law
Ever since the phrase came into being in the early nineteenth century, documented as no halfers-findee, lossee seekee, which sou..

Speeding motoring offences

Speeding motoring offences
Over 100,000 motorists are caught speeding each year, many have attended speed awareness courses, many were fined and received point..

Totting up points on your driving Licence

Totting up points on your driving Licence.
When a driver accumulates twelve points or more in a three-year period on their driving license they are normally s..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Children and the law - Committing a crime

Children and the law - Committing a crime.
A child under 10 will not be charged with a criminal offence but they can face consequences for their actions.
The..

Fraud Solicitors | Solicitors.com

Fraud Solicitors. Fraud could be described as a deception in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain, usually monetary...

Neighbour Disputes | Nuisance Neighbours

Unfortunately, not everyone is respectful in life, most of the time we just move on and keep our opinion to ourselves, but when that comes to where we live you..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top