Police send DIY finger-printing kits to burglary victims

Police send DIY finger-printing kits to burglary victims as cutbacks reduce forensic staff

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 8:28 AM on 28th February 2011

Police cutbacks have left firms that are victims of burglary being sent DIY finger-printing kits to undertake their own investigations.

Companies have been told: ‘Please carry out DIY checks on your workers’, to save police time and money checking their own employees as suspects.

The DIY packs are just part of the cuts being made by police before their budgets are reduced by a whopping 20 per cent by 2014-15.

Volunteers are also being signed up to help with forensic work, which was previously performed by highly-skilled officers.

Police cut backs: Firms that have been victim to burglaries are being sent DIY finger printing kits as forensic staff are reduced

Lincolnshire’s Chief Constable Richard Crompton told the News Of The World: ‘We are interested in doing some work with volunteers, training them to assist at very, very low-grade forensic scenes.

‘It’s not policing on the cheap, it is people volunteering to do their bit within society.’

Volunteers are also being enlisted to help walk police dogs, as staff shortages increase.

The tabloid claimed that other forces have also been selling police cars and reducing the number of traffic officers while tightening their budgets. And as the number of police officers whittle away, there has been a big increase in Community Support Officers (PCSOs) the chairman of Dorset Police Federation, Clive Chamberlain, said.

Mr Fahy said: ‘It seems that sometimes parents are under great stress, suffering severe mental health issues – and young people are very vulnerable.  
Last week Greater Manchester Chief Constable Peter Fahy enraged the Home Office by saying government spending cuts could put vulnerable children at risk, due to the reductions in police officers and council services.

‘The worrying aspect is not only are we making reductions, but charities and voluntary organisations are also at severe risk.’

The Home Office dismissed his claims though, in a statement saying: ‘We do not expect forces to stop providing essential policing services and it’s utterly irresponsible to use language like this.

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