Conservatives “asleep at the wheel” as just 6% of burglaries in Devon and Cornwall result in a charge

Tiverton and Honiton's Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservatives for being "asleep at the wheel" on tackling community crime after damning new revelations show that almost all burglaries in Devon and Cornwall go unpunished.

Analysis of official Home Office data by the Liberal Democrats revealed that just 71, or 6%, of domestic burglaries in Devon and Cornwall resulted in a criminal charge or summons in the first three quarters of 2022. Across the country, the figure was a dismal 4%.

Tiverton and Honiton's Liberal Democrats have slammed the Government for these stark figures, saying the Conservatives have left police forces up and down the country overstretched and underfunded.

The party is calling for a return to proper community policing - where officers are visible and have the time to focus on preventing and solving crimes - so that criminals can no longer act with impunity.

Commenting on the figures, Richard Foord MP said:

"This news is terrifying for people in Devon and Cornwall. This Conservative Government's inaction has led to thousands of burglars getting away with it - and thousands of families waiting endlessly for justice that may never arrive."

"Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes. The Government must make that possible by giving police forces the officers, time and resources they need to tackle domestic burglaries."

"To do this, Conservative Ministers must finally recruit the extra 20,000 police officers they have promised but failed to deliver."