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Lie Detectives . . . Det Chief Insp Dean Fraser (front) with (from left) crime scene investigator Howarth from the Forensic Response Unit, and PCs Smith and McKinlay from the burglary team
Lie Detectives . . . Det Chief Insp Dean Fraser (front) with (from left) crime scene investigator Howarth from the Forensic Response Unit, and PCs Smith and McKinlay from the burglary team

Police amnesty for crime liars

Reporter: by DAWN ECKERSLEY
Date online: 03 February 2009

ANYONE who has lied to police about being burgled or robbed has the chance to own up during a month-long amnesty.

Those that come forward by using a free phone number (0800 731 9431) or speaking to an officer during the amnesty, will have no further action taken against them for wasting police time.

Officers estimate that up to one in 10 reports of crimes where property has allegedly been taken could be fake.

They say people lie about being burgled or robbed to claim insurance, account for valuables they may have sold or money they may have used for drink, drugs or gambling.

People also lie about break-ins to account for damage they have done themselves to rented properties.

Investigating false reports takes up valuable police time and resources and can divert officers from dealing with real crimes and supporting real victims.

False reports also give an inflated picture of crime, create unwarranted fear of crime in communities and decrease public confidence in the police. The amnesty is the latest tactic being used by Operation Guardian to tackle a recent increase in burglaries across the county.

The amnesty is being publicised through a hard-hitting media and advertising campaign that bangs home the message that lying to police is a crime, wastes police time and can lead to fixed penalty notices, fines from the courts and even imprisonment.

Det. Chief Insp. Dean Fraser said: “We take false reporting, that is lying to police, very seriously and consider it to be a crime just like burglary and robbery. Officers thoroughly investigate all reports of crimes where property is stolen or damaged and are trained to spot the tell-tale signs that point to false reporting. Crime Scene Investigators are expert at gathering evidence in cases of false reporting that will stand up in court and lead to convictions.


Comments

And will they have an amnesty from legal proceeings for insurance fraud? Another example of GMP taking the easy way out.

By AnimoAtqueFide @ 03/02/2009 13:56:45

So it's a crime to lie to the police but if you confess you get a telling off (or not even that)? But the police can tick boxes and show they have hit government targets on solving crimes. They are all happy and statistics look good. What happens when the same people or others do the same again ? Wonder if their insurance companies will think the same, especially at renewal time ?

By morgana60 @ 03/02/2009 14:05:52

And anyone who has lied to the police about commiting burglary or robbery......?

By Meldroo @ 03/02/2009 14:44:14

When GMP are bogged down with petty idiots committing crime and mounting paperwork, along with hours off the beat to deal with minor crime, so the idea is free up police time dealing with crimes that DONT exist.

By Marcus89 @ 03/02/2009 17:06:55

'When GMP are bogged down with petty idiots committing crime'
Its about time we adopted a zero tolerance policy towards crime, petty crime undeterred leads to more serious crime as these 'petty idiots' become more bold as they see their actions have no consequences for them. GMP are taking the easy way out and no doubt will use any info from this amnesty to massage their clear up figures.

By wattersheddings @ 04/02/2009 09:18:23

 

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