Throwing caution to the wind

Sorry about the lack of posts of late, I've been really really busy with work - a poor excuse I know, but there you go. (Contrary to the many condecending comments I have received on various police blogs, I do have a job)

Anyway, as most people are now aware, the police are big big fans of cautions; it is the easiest way to to chalk up a conviction, involves next to no work or troublesome evidence gathering etc.

Whilst they often dole these things out for nonsense crimes, they are using them more and more for nasty, violent crime. Crimes such as kicking your way into an old couples' home, smashing their place up, putting their windows through and threatening to 'put you in a wheelchair' for example.

I suppose it is a result in a way, as in many situations like this the police would just ignore it, fobbing the victims off with the usual "there's nothing we can (be asred to) do" line, but in this case poor plod was backed in to a corner and had to do something as the attackers left a trail of blood leading from the scene. They did still manage to trot out another favourite line - "we were only following orders".

“Two males were arrested and questioned as part of this investigation. Under Home Office guidelines that dictate what action can be taken under specific circumstances they were both cautioned for criminal damage."

Once again, justice was done and seen to be done. British style - 2009.