Police taking aim at targets - your views?

suzster · 20-05-2007, 11:24

I was reading the following article earlier this week and was amazed: -

http://www.blackpoolcitizen.co.uk/ne...at_targets.php

"POLICE bosses in Lancashire are calling for an end to targets which they say are forcing them to make arrests for petty offences.

It comes after a Burnley teenager was believed to be the first person in the county to be arrested under centuries-old legislation for throwing a snowball last year. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after throwing what police described as "iceballs" at people in Cog Lane, Burnley."

I don't know about you but 'iceballs' are just about the same as throwing stones - I would expect someone to be arrested if they started pelting me with them!

Are things going to get even worse with the yobs getting away with even more?

Suz x.

Neil · 21-05-2007, 05:25

I suppose it depends on who you are throwing them at. A group of kids playing snowballs if different to the same group launching a snowball assault on a group on a day out from the old folks home.

steeljack · 21-05-2007, 05:57

not sure how police recriutment works in the UK , but in my area guys who have done a tour in the military get extra points on their applications , the the physically and mentally callenged (dwarfs/obese/PC college educated liberal arts graduates who are afraid of their own shadows, etc ) go on the general, other applicants list .
From what I have read from other Accy web users about the state of policing and crime in Lancashire I am sure Bill Palfrey ( ex Chief Constable) is turning his grave

Ianto.W. · 21-05-2007, 06:19

These stupid targets are the way they assess the performance of the probationers. The figures are also taken into account when a longer serving policeman applies for a sergeants position, after they have passed the segeants examination. Rather a poor yardstick, to me it shows lack of common sense to book for bookings sake.

Neil · 21-05-2007, 06:58

Well they are supposed to be working to zero tolerance so you would expect a high booking rate. Its obvious they are not working to zero tolerance, its just a buzz word.

cashman · 21-05-2007, 09:34

Zero Tolerance,

last week i was reading about a young lad who was charged with possesion of an EGG.pmsl, they have these ludicrous - stupid targets, to meet and then you go burgle some poor buggars house n the advice is DONT send em to jail for it. the worlds gone mad.

Ianto.W. · 21-05-2007, 10:21

We had an heating engineer working for us recently, he had his mobile phone and cigarettes stolen off the lid of our wheely bin, this bin is situated inside my workshop near the door. The matter was reported to the Police the same morning as it was a company phone and contained a lot of info, they arrived two days later, the only question that was asked was "was it insured" I replied "that is the only reason we informed you dummies". Police force, Police 'farce' is a better name for them!