Handcuffs, helmets and green vegetable matter among items stolen from police

DERBYSHIRE police have revealed what and how many items have been stolen from them over the last five years.

Following a Freedom of Information request by the Derby Telegraph to Derbyshire Constabulary, we can report all of the items the police have had taken from either vehicles, officers or police property.

The police had 19 items stolen between January 1, 2016 and May 31, 2021.

Handcuffs and helmets were common features, with the strangest item taken being “green vegetable matter”. Clothing stolen includes police boots, a police vest and a hiviz jacket, with the technical equipment stolen including a camera, a phone, a radio and two mobile data terminals.

The “other” section covers a stolen road sign, green vegetable matter and general items from a community fun day.

Of the 19 items taken, only three were recovered – the police vest, one pair of handcuffs and the green vegetable matter.

A Derbyshire police spokesperson said: “[Items are taken] In the same way as any other items are stolen, and there could be many different scenarios perhaps while officers are dealing with incidents or emergencies, or signs if they are left unattended while officers go to other incidents.

“The force is insured to cover the theft of property, but have to pay excess charges to claim for items.

“Officers investigate in the same way they do any other report of stolen property, take action and recover the property whenever possible.”