ALMOST 2,000 crime reports across Berkshire went unsolved or concluded without a suspect being identified in January, new figures show.

Data from Thames Valley Police shows that of 6,541 crime reports made from Berkshire to the force in January 2021, 1,970 (30 per cent) did not result in a suspect being prosecuted.

Crime reports are designated into categories according to their progress.

The 1,970 reports that resulted in no further action were either not followed-through because doing so would not be in the public interest, no suspect was identified, or a suspect was unable to be prosecuted.

These nearly 2,000 reports include:

  • 435 reports of violent or sexual offences
  • 308 reports of vehicle crime
  • 278 reports of public order offences
  • 265 reports of criminal damage or arson
  • 133 reports of shoplifting
  • One report of possession of weapons

In a comment given to our sister paper The Oxford Mail in June 2019, a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police explained why crime reports sometimes end with no further action.

They said: “Thames Valley Police will always look to respond and carry out investigations whenever an offence is reported to us.

“There are a number of reasons why an offence can be filed as ‘no further action’ but it does not mean that no action has been taken or that a thorough investigation has not taken place.

“Further, if new evidence or information comes to light which enables us to progress the investigation, then we will do that.

“As a force, we have to prioritise certain crimes above others, based on threat, harm and risk to others.

“We are committed to carrying out investigations, and to bringing offenders to justice wherever possible."