Cops want to throw book at criminals

CASH-STRAPPED police are telling people to visit their local library to report any non-urgent crimes.

Norfolk Police are moving to online forms after the closure of inquiry desks at some stations. And to cater for people without internet, library staff are being trained to help report incidents.

The six-month trial in Thetford and Gorleston kicks off next month.

Visitors to Thetford’s station will see a sign directing them to the library.

Thetford mayor Terry Jeremy slammed the move, adding: “When we asked the police to throw the book at criminals, we didn’t expect them to go to the library.”

Chief Con Simon Bailey said by using libraries the force wanted to retain its crime reporting service “in a more efficient, collaborative way despite cash cuts”.