How should the police allocate their time?

[AB Editor]

As there have been calls for cuts in the police force due to dire financial circumstances brought about by the credit crunch, where should a reduced police force focus its efforts most?

 

This poll is closed.

Answers:

• Civil Crime - 13 votes
• 65%
• Fraud - 3 votes
• 15%
• Motoring Offences - 3 votes
• 15%
• Internet Crimes - 1 vote
• 5%

See final stats

Stats until: 13:52 Sat 21st Dec 2024 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)

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[hc4361]

What is civil crime?
Police should focus on serious crimes such as murder, serious assault, rape and sexual offences, people and drug trafficking, large scale fraud including internet crime.

[Androcles]

What a daft survey! Crimes against the person are more important than any of these.

[craft1948]

I voted for civil crime but perhaps, mistakenly, thought this meant crimes against the public.

[ummmm]

They shouldn't be turning up at my house because I sent a text to my friend and his new girlfriend didn't like it. They said she complained of harassment....what a joke. I only asked for my Dads stuff back.

They should have better things to do...

[Whoever]

Almost everybody I speak to wants to see more police out on the beat to protect us against theft, burglary and physical violence. If you look at the local Magistrates courts, they are full of such cases. The other categories are important but those crimes which affect individuals personally and physically are the ones which have the most impact on individuals.

[Ramsbottom]

A 'civil crime' is an American term and is not a criminal offence - in England its called 'tort', which is outside of the police's jurisdiction, so why would the police focus anything at this at all?

[dh001]

The police get gridlocked with complaints that are actually civil matters and a lot of time is wasted disposing of the reports correctly.

Ummmm. The police also waste a lot of time dealing with complaints about text messages, facebook stuff etc, most of which is utter nonsense.

[rov1200]

I wonder if a study has ever been done as to where and when most crimes are committed? How many miles a police patrol car has to travel before apprehending a wrong-doer. How much time is deployed in bringing a criminal to justice? etc

If the incidents were plotted on a graph it will probably show that arrests are more common outside pubs on a Saturday night, civil demonstrations and football hooligans will come near the top of the list.

Therefore a list could be prioritised and given more attention to.

[vivandorron]

Civil Crime appears to be leading the field in your Survey. Is this because Fraud, Motoring Offences and Internet Crimes are all within the same category as Civil Crime.

I am inclined to agree with Androcles...(What a daft survey)...and hc4361 appears to have hit the nail upon the head so far as I am concerned. Also, all who have replied at this stage have put forward some excellent opinions.

[dh001]

Hi vivandorron: Civil Law (not civil crime) would be an accurate description which as already mentioned is not in the jurisdiction of the police. However, a lot people will try to involve the police for many reasons.

As an example, last year saw a large increase in financial disputes between private landlords and tenants being reported to the police, usually landlords trying to report issues such as non payment of rent etc as theft to try and recover money without the cost of civil law proceedings and trying to get the police to evict non-paying tenants from their properties. Experienced Police Call-Takers will tell such complainants it is not a matter for the police and advise accordingly.