Putting theives out of business? Low priority:
I farm on the north Norfolk coast and recently had some agricultural machinery stolen. Our neighbouring farmer also had a tractor stolen. Neither of these thefts merited so much as a visit from our local police force.
Dirt on road? High priority:
However, while lifting sugar beet (a common agricultural practice in these parts) mud was deposited on the road between my field and the storage site. Despite “mud on road” signs and the road being cleaned every evening after work, the police received a complaint from a member of the public.
Three police cars arrived on the scene to investigate and take photographs. Consequently, I have been informed that the police intend to prosecute me for depositing mud on the road. This could result in me being fined up to £1,000.
Assault? Low priority:
Name: Stephen Millward
Address: Crewe
Question: On Saturday 24th January, I was violently assaulted on my own door step after requesting that a gang of approx. 30 rowdy, drunken youths move from outside my property. My wife called 999 after 3 youths set about punching me in the face. 20 minutes later I called the local call centre to question why no patrol had attended. I was informed by the PC that I obviously considered myself a higher priority than the Police. A patrol arrived 1hr 15mins later, by which time the youths had moved away. Can you please explain why this is considered to be a low priority by Cheshire Police... ?
Offended Muslims? High priority:
LEICESTER -- Police here in central England seized a collection of porcelain pigs from a house's window sill after Muslims complained that they were offensive.
"I just couldn't believe it, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry," Mrs Nancy Bennett, the owner of the 17 miniature pigs, told the Sun tabloid newspaper.
The porcelain figures were held at the local police station, while Mrs Bennett was threatened with prosecution if she replaces the collection. Her house is located in the same street as the city's main mosque, meaning that Muslim worshippers often passed by her front window where the pig figurines were on display.
Protecting citizens from real crime? Low priority:
A GOVERNMENT drive to put more police on the beat is being undermined by senior officers who regard the role as a low priority and divert them to other duties, a study has suggested.
It also says that the Home Office’s strategy for neighbourhood policing may be torpedoed by a police culture that sees beat officers as “second class citizens”.
Investigating and discouraging thoughtcrime? High priority:
Lynette Burrows, an author on children's rights and a family campaigner, took part in a discussion on the Victoria Derbyshire show on Radio Five Live about the new civil partnerships act.
During the programme, she said she did not believe that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt. She added that placing boys with two homosexuals for adoption was as obvious a risk as placing a girl with two heterosexual men who offered themselves as parents. "It is a risk," she said. "You would not give a small girl to two men."
A member of the public complained to the police and an officer contacted Mrs Burrows the following day to say a "homophobic incident" had been reported against her.
"I was astounded," she said. "I told her this was a free country and we are allowed to express opinions on matters of public interest. She told me it was not a crime but that she had to record these incidents.
"They were leaning on me, letting me know that the police had an interest in my views. I think it is sinister and completely unacceptable."
Scotland Yard confirmed last night that Fulham police had investigated a complaint over the radio programme.
A spokesman said it was policy for community safety units to investigate homophobic, racist and domestic incidents because these were "priority crimes".
Indeed.
Do I need to comment how deeply grateful I am that I am writing this little summary about someone else's country? Yet how long before things are like this here, too?