Crime Watch

A new policy by the Metropolitan Police Service to not investigate some low-level crimes has led to fears that thefts from trucks may increase – and threaten the safety of drivers as a result

- Dan Parton

The recent introduction by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) of its Crime Assessment Policy has gained headlines for its admission that some ‘lower level, higher volume’ crimes such as vandalism, vehicle crime and fuel theft may not be pursued.

Under the policy, where theft or damage amounts to less than £50, or where a minor crime’s CCTV is inadequate or not available, officers are instructed not to investigate.

Budget pressures

This policy has come about, in part, due to pressure on the MPS budget – it must save £400 million by 2020.

“We need our officers to be focused on serious crime and cases where there is a realistic chance that we will be able to solve it,” deputy assistant commissioner Mark Simmons said on a recent blog post on the MPS website.

This has led to fears that crimes against truck drivers and hauliers, such as theft of fuel or parts of loads, could increase in the London area as a result. Some other services around the country are also pursuing similar policies.

“I think it sends out a worrying message to criminals that lower-level crime won’t be investigated by police,” says Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association.

“It’s the kind of news that gives organised crime gangs and opportunists the confidence to target hauliers because they think they’ll probably get away with it.

“We’ve seen that reported crime is on the increase in London and across the UK, so I don’t see that our sector would be immune to that trend.”