'Lie amnesty' aims to cut crime

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A police force is trying to reduce its crime statistics by encouraging insurance fraudsters to admit to falsely reporting incidents of crime.

Greater Manchester Police is urging people to confess they have told lies during a month-long "lie amnesty".

Officers want residents in suburbs such as Moss Side, Hulme and Fallowfield to admit to falsely reporting crimes to gain insurance payouts.

The force said those who come forward during June will not face prosecution.

However they could face action from their insurance companies, a police spokeswoman confirmed.

Wasting police time

Insp Tony Mee said the force wanted to deter people from wasting police time.

The force said there were concerns that police would receive more false reports of burglary and robbery as the recession takes hold and people become more desperate for money.

We want to reassure real victims that they can count on our full support and determination to bring offenders to justice Insp Tony Mee

It said the fake claims give an inflated picture of crime, creating unwarranted fear of crime in communities and reducing public confidence in the police.

Insp Mee said: "We take false reporting very seriously and it is a crime just like burglary or 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.

"We want to deter people from wasting our time investigating false reports.

"At the same time however we want to reassure real victims that they can count on our full support and determination to bring offenders to justice."

People who have made a false report can own up throughout June by visiting Longsight police station in Grindlow Street.