Move along, there’s nothing to see here

Abody is found near a busy roundabout in Peterborough. Police who made the discovery call in forensic officers to investigate.

No information is released about the tragic find but a PT photographer spots the activity on his travels. An inquiry is made to the police and (very) scant details are released... and that’s all.

The public’s curiosity was understandably whetted – even in 2019 dead bodies found in public places in unexplained circumstances are (thankfully) not an everyday occurance.

So what happened? We, and by we I mean the tax-paying public of this city, will probably never know. But why is that?

The police concluded the death was non-suspicious

and they ended their involvement by passing a file on to the coroner, who will decide whether or not an inquest is held. Even if there is one, it is unlikely the Peterborough public will be kept informed.

The police have not, as is their practice these days, named the victim. Therefore it is virtually impossible for a media organisation to follow the trail even if it leads to an inquest.

But why does this matter? So we can sell more newspapers?

No, it is important because the community has the right to know how its money is being spent.

It is important that the community is aware of the circumstances that leads to such tragic events.

That information might inform a necessary public debate. For example, what if the victim was a vulnerable person who had been unable to access support?

If that was the case, surely the community should be informed so, as our friends in authority are always so keen to tell us, we can be reassured “lessons have been learned’’ if necessary.

The police are not alone, and certainly not the worst, among taxpayer-funded bodies in this shutdown of information. You’ve heard all the reasons before, data protection, privacy, non-disclosure agreements, commercial confidentiality... and, simply, because they don’t have to.

The police often make specific or general appeals for information and help from the public. I believe they have a right to expect that help and information, but it’s a two-way street.