Police officer criticised for suggesting burglaries should not be probed if windows are left open

A senior police officer has been criticised for suggesting that some burglaries should not be investigated if doors and windows have been left open.

Phil Kay, assistant chief constable of Leicestershire Police, said he would much rather officers could focus on preventing crime and protecting the public than probe break-ins where carelessness may have played a role.

While discussing high rates of burglaries at accommodation for students at the University of Loughborough, Mr Kay told the Loughborough Echo: "What the National Health Service will say is 'we are not going to operate on you because your body mass is too high'. They have not helped themselves to prevent an illness.

"Yet if people leave doors or windows open, there is an expectation the police will investigate."

He added: "I would far rather my officers were spending their time preventing crime, protecting the public and focusing on other stuff than things that are preventable."

Mr Kay said it is right for police to try and stop crime taking place, but added that people should take responsibility.

However, his comments came under fire from Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, who represents North West Leicestershire.

"I would like to hope that the force are putting this out there as a way of reminding the public of the importance of not leaving doors or windows open," he said.

"But it is their job to detect and investigate such crimes, not to penalise law-abiding citizens who may have made a mistake."

Local councillor Sandie Forrest said she was "astounded" by Mr Kay's comments.

"I think the comparison that the police are making with the NHS is a poor one because at the end of the day the NHS will intervene at some stage," she told the Echo.

"I appreciate that the police have an enormously difficult job to do, but this would be extremely unpopular with the public."