No-inquiry police shamed into action
A POLICE chief last night ordered an investigation after we revealed his officers failed to probe a pickpocket theft despite “crystal clear” CCTV footage of the suspect.
Builder Graham Buck, 60, was told despite the image, the matter would not be investigated by Derbyshire officers as “nobody at the station recognised the suspect’s face because he hadn’t been arrested before”.
The stunned father of two was told officers would not waste time tracing the culprit who stole his phone and bank card on a pre-Christmas night out in Derby and went on a £200 spending spree.
The suspect was filmed using the card at a garage and an off-licence before builder Mr Buck could cancel it.
The case was the latest in a string of incidents where police failed to investigate “low-level” crime, blaming lack of manpower and resources. Last night, more than seven months after the incident, Derbyshire chief constable Peter Goodman apologised and ordered the CCTV footage to be released immediately.
He said: “This case did undergo a detailed investigation. However, we made a mistake and accept that the investigation should have included a CCTV image appeal to the public, something we will now rectify.
“We are endeavouring to contact Mr Buck to discuss the situation and offer our apologies. Isolated incidents caused by human error can happen and the impact that has Pickpocket victim Graham Buck on individual victims is something we very much regret.” Derbyshire police and crime commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa said: “The response provided in this instance was not good enough, nor is it what we expect. “Yes, we have to prioritise how our diminished resources are used to greatest effect. But this victim’s account illustrates the acute distress caused by what might be perceived as a less serious crime. I would like to invite him to meet me to discuss the matter.” Last night a “surprised but pleased” Mr Buck said: “Issuing the CCTV image is something they should have done from the start, rather than seven months later. They should have investigated the case properly at the time.”