This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-33788264

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Leicestershire police 'ignore' attempted burglaries at odd-numbered houses Leicestershire police 'ignore' attempted burglaries at odd-numbered houses
(about 2 hours later)
Attempted break-ins at odd-numbered houses were not fully investigated by one police force as part of an experiment to save money.Attempted break-ins at odd-numbered houses were not fully investigated by one police force as part of an experiment to save money.
Leicestershire Police said the pilot scheme had had no adverse effect on public satisfaction or crime rates.Leicestershire Police said the pilot scheme had had no adverse effect on public satisfaction or crime rates.
Results of the three-month trial are being evaluated and could see it rolled out throughout the East Midlands.Results of the three-month trial are being evaluated and could see it rolled out throughout the East Midlands.
Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Clive Loader said he was unaware of the idea but would have advised against it.Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Clive Loader said he was unaware of the idea but would have advised against it.
Due to cuts in central government funding, the force has cut £33.9m - about 17% of the entire budget - over the four years to March this year, but is expecting more savings to be needed.Due to cuts in central government funding, the force has cut £33.9m - about 17% of the entire budget - over the four years to March this year, but is expecting more savings to be needed.
The pilot was prompted by analysis by East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), which covers Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, which found of 1,172 attempted burglaries scenes, few were found to contain any forensic evidence, and only 33 suspects were identified.The pilot was prompted by analysis by East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), which covers Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, which found of 1,172 attempted burglaries scenes, few were found to contain any forensic evidence, and only 33 suspects were identified.
Jo Ashworth, director of forensic sciences with the unit, said: "The pilot was developed to look at what value forensic teams bring to the detection of attempt burglaries.Jo Ashworth, director of forensic sciences with the unit, said: "The pilot was developed to look at what value forensic teams bring to the detection of attempt burglaries.
"At a time when we are operating within reduced budgets, it is even more critical that we make the absolute best use of our crime scene investigators' time.""At a time when we are operating within reduced budgets, it is even more critical that we make the absolute best use of our crime scene investigators' time."
MP's questions
Leicestershire's Deputy Chief Constable Roger Bannister said they were examining many ways to deliver more cost effective policing.Leicestershire's Deputy Chief Constable Roger Bannister said they were examining many ways to deliver more cost effective policing.
He said: "This pilot suggests that we may need to reconsider how best to deploy crime scene investigators, especially if we are currently sending them automatically to scenes where, despite their professionalism and expertise, there is no evidence for them to retrieve."He said: "This pilot suggests that we may need to reconsider how best to deploy crime scene investigators, especially if we are currently sending them automatically to scenes where, despite their professionalism and expertise, there is no evidence for them to retrieve."
MP's questions
The force also said forensic teams were still sent to all attempted burglaries involving vulnerable people or those thought to be linked to other incidents.The force also said forensic teams were still sent to all attempted burglaries involving vulnerable people or those thought to be linked to other incidents.
But Sir Clive Loader said: "I was unaware of this trial and while I appreciate that technically this is operational policing territory, carried out by an East Midlands Collaborative Unit, I believe that I should have been informed, principally because it was taking place in Leicestershire.But Sir Clive Loader said: "I was unaware of this trial and while I appreciate that technically this is operational policing territory, carried out by an East Midlands Collaborative Unit, I believe that I should have been informed, principally because it was taking place in Leicestershire.
"Had I been consulted, I would have advised against it, particularly in light of the controls chosen which, to me at least, are unlikely to inspire much public confidence.""Had I been consulted, I would have advised against it, particularly in light of the controls chosen which, to me at least, are unlikely to inspire much public confidence."
Olwen Edwards, from Victim Support in Leicestershire, said: "All victims of crime deserve their cases to be robustly investigated and to feel that police have made every effort to catch offenders and bring them to justice.Olwen Edwards, from Victim Support in Leicestershire, said: "All victims of crime deserve their cases to be robustly investigated and to feel that police have made every effort to catch offenders and bring them to justice.
"This may not always involve collecting forensic evidence, but where this doesn't happen, the police should explain the reasons why.""This may not always involve collecting forensic evidence, but where this doesn't happen, the police should explain the reasons why."
Leicester South MP Jonathan Ashworth tweeted he would be raising the matter with the home secretary.Leicester South MP Jonathan Ashworth tweeted he would be raising the matter with the home secretary.