Police response to petrol theft ("drive-offs") from filling stations. Letter in the Western Daily Press, June 30th, 2015.

To pursue or not to pursue?  The bizarre world of British justice!  This letter was published in the Western Daily Press on June 30th.

Our judicial system needs common sense.

Devon and Cornwall Police no longer consider driving away from a petrol filling station without paying as a theft worth investigating, even though it is apparently the most reported crime in the countryside. It seems lack of funds brought about this new policy.

Meanwhile, at the other end of England in North Yorkshire, where petrol theft is still considered worthy of interest to the police, a conscientious and determined police officer gave chase when he saw a man drive off from a petrol station without paying. After a three-mile pursuit by car and on foot the officer caught the culprit who was eventually jailed for theft.

Was the officer commended for his actions? Evidently not; in a ludicrous turn of events he was put on trial for dangerous driving! Unsurprisingly, a jury quickly found him not guilty.

A dose of common sense needs to be injected into the bizarre world of British justice. Money should not be wasted on prosecuting police officers in Yorkshire when they are obviously doing what is expected of them. It would be better spent on making resources available to pursue petrol thieves in Devon and Cornwall.

S.W.

English Democrats, Somerset