Crime clear-up figures don't fool me
For the last few weeks every local newspaper has been full of pictures of the likes of Gordon Brown, David Kidney and the Chief Constable crowing about how violent crime is falling and how the battle against red tape is being won.
For the last few weeks every local newspaper has been full of pictures of the likes of Gordon Brown, David Kidney and the Chief Constable crowing about how violent crime is falling and how the battle against red tape is being won.
It was this bunch who told us they were "Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime". What baloney.
In the last two weeks I have discovered just how the figures are worked to fool us. Take four cases of assault Staffordshire Police "dealt with" in the last few weeks.
The first was written about in the national press – a Mr Sweeney of Tamworth described it as a "police farce" when they cautioned him (a conviction) for common assault when he "patted a kid on the head".
The second two convictions for common assault happened in Cannock when a friend of mine, after 20 years of marriage, had a falling out with his wife. No doubt in order to get him out of their house she complained of assault. The police rang to summon him to the police station.
Being law abiding he went immediately and was arrested, DNA tested etc and given a caution for common assault. He protested that he was the one attacked and he merely pushed his wife away when she thumped him. "That is assault," he was told.
Not wishing to miss a trick they arrested his wife and she was cautioned. There was not even a mark on anyone. Three assaults and 100 per cent conviction rate.
The next assault involved the boyfriend of someone I know well. He was walking across Asda car park in Stafford a couple of weeks ago and was set upon by five French thugs. He was beaten unconscious and spent the night in hospital. He is still receiving specialist treatment.
He was interviewed and the bobby asked: "Do you think they were putting on French accents to fool us into thinking they were French"?
The hunt continues (we think) for the five French yobs but don't hold your breath for a result.
So there you are. Staffordshire Police solve 75 per cent of assaults. It seems impressive but in reality the one that mattered was not bothered with. Lots of effort went into the other three assaults but anyone could have solved them! Government targets are ruling how effectively we are policed.
Trevor Houlton, Anson Drive, Walton on the Hill, Stafford.
