Police launch amnesty

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.