Crimes are going unreported because the public has lost faith in the police, a watchdog has warned.

We reported yesterday how more than 7,000 burglaries reported in Kent between January and November last year had ended without a suspect being identified.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the public are now not reporting low level but more frequently occurring offences, such as car theft, known as volume crimes.

Matt Parr, HM Inspector of Constabulary said: "I think these levels of volume crime resolution are corrosive for the long-term relationship between the public and police.

"There are some worrying trends – victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, where victims are no longer supporting the prosecution – is a more complex and worrying issue.

"But I think particularly in the volume crime area the public has rumbled that the police capacity to deal with this is extremely limited. There are some strikingly low figures about car crime resolution meaning most of the public simply give up reporting it because the chances of anything positive happening are so slim."

Of the 10,150 burglaries reported between January and November last year in Kent 71% of them were categorised as having an outcome of 'investigation complete; no suspect identified'.

HMICFRS said even though policing is in good shape forces face pressures from a decline in resources coupled with rising demands.

The Divergence Under Pressure report, issued by HMICFRS, stated: "The likelihood of the police bringing someone to justice following a criminal investigation is decreasing.

"In England and Wales, a suspect was charged in 7.8% of recorded crimes last year, down from 9.1% the year before."

Commenting on our previous story Stark Industries wrote: "Burgled 4 times, Kent Police couldn't have been less interested, didn't want a list of stolen items, didn't want serial numbers, here's your crime number goodbye.

"When we found out who did one of them and informed the police we where told to stay away from them otherwise we would be arrested."

Big Brian wrote: "Was broken into in Oct 2018.

"Had clear facial CCTV. Police never bothered collecting.

"Local people no longer report these crimes and deal with themselves."

But Gander12 added: "The police do a good job but there are a lot of criminals in Kent masquerading as good next door neighbours."

KMTV's Joe Coshan has been meeting victims of burglary in Kent

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