North Yorkshire Police are ignoring national advice to make fewer arrests in order to ease the prisons crisis.
The Times reported yesterday that chief constables were being asked to consider pausing “non-priority arrests”.
The memo to police chiefs stated: “Consideration is to be given to pausing non-priority arrests and any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease the pressure within the criminal justice system.
“Notwithstanding public protection remains a priority and a considered threat, harm and risk assessment is to be completed when considering any pause in police operations.”
In response, North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber said: “I want to make it absolutely clear that we are in the business of protecting people.
“Victims of crime need a service and I want York and North Yorkshire to be a no-go zone for criminals.
“There will be no let-up in the execution of warrants or delays in making arrests – not in York or North Yorkshire.”
And National Police Chiefs’ Council chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: “We are working closely with criminal justice system partners to manage demand in the system and ensure that the public are safe.
“Policing will always arrest anyone that they need to in order to keep the public safe, including policing protests and events and ensuring that people are arrested as expected.”
