Tuesday, May 15, 2007

UK Police condemn 'target culture'

Police officers

Frontline police officers are calling for an end to the "target-driven culture" they say is forcing them to make arrests for petty offences.

The Police Federation of England and Wales says government targets lead to "ludicrous" decisions such as arresting a child for throwing a cucumber slice.

The federation has published a dossier of "ludicrous" cases it claims are the result of Home Office targets.

The cases include:

  • A man from Cheshire who was cautioned for being "found in possession of an egg with intent to throw"
  • A child in Kent who was arrested after removing a slice of cucumber from a sandwich and throwing it at another youngster
  • A West Midlands woman arrested on her wedding day for criminal damage after her foot slipped on her accelerator pedal and her vehicle damaged a car park barrier

  • A child from Kent who was arrested for throwing cream buns at a bus
  • A 70-year-old Cheshire pensioner who was arrested for criminal damage after cutting back a neighbour's conifer trees
  • An officer in the West Midlands who was told to caution a man for throwing a glass of water over his girlfriend
  • Two children from Manchester who were arrested for being in possession of a plastic toy pistol
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