Lawyer says Met Police failed to help him after constant break-ins... even when the burglar dropped a bail form that detailed his name and address

By OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Police failed to investigate a burglary despite the suspect leaving all his contact details at the scene of the crime, a victim has claimed. 

Paul Powlesland, a lawyer who lives on a houseboat in London, said he found the alleged thief's name and address on a bail form left behind following the raid. 

It revealed that the suspect, who was in his 40s, had been released from prison on January 28 - the day the burglary is understood to have occurred.  

The lawyer reported the theft to the Metropolitan Police in the hope it was an open and shut case. 

However, when Mr Powlesland turned up at his local police station, he claims he was told there were no officers that could help him and he should call 101 instead. 

The lawyer said after making the call to the operator, he waited until 11pm for a police officer to show up, but no one came. 

He told The Times: 'When you have got such direct evidence and the police do nothing, you just stop bothering.

'You just accept that people will get away with it and the law won't protect you.' 

Paul Powlesland (pictured), a lawyer who lives on a houseboat in London, said he found the alleged thief's name and address on a bail form left behind following the raid

Paul Powlesland (pictured), a lawyer who lives on a houseboat in London, said he found the alleged thief's name and address on a bail form left behind following the raid

It revealed that the suspect, who was in his 40s, had been released from prison on January 28 - the day the burglary is understood to have occurred (file image)

It revealed that the suspect, who was in his 40s, had been released from prison on January 28 - the day the burglary is understood to have occurred (file image)

When Mr Powlesland turned up at his local police station, he claims he was told there were no officers that could help him and he should call 101 instead

When Mr Powlesland turned up at his local police station, he claims he was told there were no officers that could help him and he should call 101 instead

Mr Powlesland, who runs the River Roding Trust that helps clean up rivers, says he has been burgled six times in eight years. 

He claims up until the most recent raid he had given up reporting the crimes to police. 

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'We aim to resolve burglaries as quickly as possible, but understand in this case there were unfortunate delays and apologise for this. 

'An investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.' 

MailOnline has contacted the force for further comment. 

It comes as the Mail revealed last year that police are abandoning an increasing proportion of criminal investigations without identifying a culprit. 

More than four out of 10 victims now see their cases simply being written off.

An analysis of official figures last year showed that police in England and Wales ditched investigations into 45 per cent of reported offences which involved an individual victim, such as an assault or personal theft.

From April to June, 452,517 investigations into such crimes were closed without a suspect being collared, up more than 27,000 on the previous three months.

From April to June, 452,517 investigations into such crimes were closed without a suspect being collared, up more than 27,000 on the previous three months (file photo)

From April to June, 452,517 investigations into such crimes were closed without a suspect being collared, up more than 27,000 on the previous three months (file photo)

A further 41,578 cases were closed without tracing a perpetrator in crimes which the Home Office categorises as having 'no specific victims', such as vandalism or some drug offences.

It meant police jettisoned investigations into almost four crimes a minute, on average.

Baroness Newlove, the Victims' Commissioner, called on police forces to take 'urgent action'.

'Victims do not report crimes lightly,' she said, 'yet far too often cases are being abandoned without a suspect being identified, leaving victims feeling ignored and let down'. 

Separate data covering the 12 months to the end of June revealed 40.2 per cent of crime reports ended without a suspect being traced. That was up from 39.5 per cent the previous year, and 36.2 per cent the year before that.

The year to June saw 2,156,075 incidents in which the police gave up trying to track down perpetrators – more than 5,900 crimes every day on average. 

The total included more than 325,000 incidents of 'violence against the person' and nearly 32,000 sex offences, including 7,189 rapes. More than 1.3million thefts went unsolved, including 139,222 burglaries.

Baroness Newlove (pictured), the Victims' Commissioner, called on police forces to take 'urgent action'

Baroness Newlove (pictured), the Victims' Commissioner, called on police forces to take 'urgent action'

The charity Victim Support described the figures as 'very worrying' which reflected a 'criminal justice system in crisis'.

Spokesman Alex Mayes added: 'Anyone who has been the victim of crime deserves to have their case properly investigated and a fair shot at seeing justice.'

Labour is under fire for failing to maintain the same level of investment as the previous Tory Government, which has led to record numbers of police officers, with some forces, including the Met, predicting swingeing cuts in order to balance their books.

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council said: 'In every report, officers will assess what evidence and investigative lines may be available. In some cases there may not be enough information to act upon or bring about criminal proceedings.

'We recognise we need to do more to increase victim satisfaction and bring more offenders to justice. We are working closely with the Government to identify ways to become a more productive and efficient police service.'

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