Police have been asking crime victims to investigate offences themselves, a new report from the police watchdog has revealed.
Some police forces have been asking crime victims to take steps like checking if there is CCTV or fingerprint evidence for a crime, speaking to neighbours and scouring websites like eBay to see if their stolen property appears for sale.
The report, by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), warned that some common offences like vehicle crime and burglaries of buildings other than houses are on the verge of being decriminalised, because police have "given up" investigating them thoroughly.
HMIC said that this was unacceptable and "both surprising and a matter of material concern."
Nevertheless, if you experience or report and of the following nine crimes, you could end up being asked to investigate the matter for yourself by some police forces.
DIY detectives - crimes you could have to investigate yourself
Shed burglaries(01 of09)
Open Image ModalIf someone cuts a padlock on a shed and breaks in to steal bikes or gardening equipment, the crime is classed as a non-residential burglary, a category which police have been increasingly leaving to the public to investigate. (credit:PhotoAlto/Neville Mountford-Hoare via Getty Images)
Theft from cars(02 of09)
Open Image ModalIf someone smashes a window and steals items from your car, police could ask you to look into the situation yourself, according to the report. (credit:Images Etc Ltd via Getty Images)
Property damage(03 of09)
Open Image ModalCriminal damage - which is the damage of property, for example if someone knocks down your front wall or a sign in your driveway - is one of the kinds of crime that some police forces have been asking the public to dig into. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
Graffiti(04 of09)
Open Image ModalYou could be encouraged to find evidence (such as CCTV) if you report graffiti, which is an act of vandalism. (credit:David Crausby via Getty Images)
Having your car keyed(05 of09)
Open Image ModalIf someone deliberately scrapes your car with a key - one of the most annoying acts of wanton vandalism - some police forces could ask you to look for clues such as fingerprints. (credit:John Freeman via Getty Images)
Garage burglaries(06 of09)
Open Image ModalAnother example of non-residential burglary. If someone pinches your bike helmets or gold clubs, you could have to turn detective. (credit:PM Images via Getty Images)
Pickpocketing(07 of09)
Open Image ModalIt is less likely that the police would ask you to investigate a theft from your clothes or bags, especially if it involved force being used against you. But if there is a high incidence of robbery in a particular police area, and the crime is a less severe act like pickpocketing, you could be asked to do some digging yourself. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Theft from a hotel suite(08 of09)
Open Image ModalThefts from a hotel by someone who isn't staying there are classed as non-residential burglaries. They'd often be treated as theft rather than burglary. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)
Other thefts(09 of09)
Open Image ModalMembers of the public could have to become sleuths when some items are stolen from them. Police asked people to check second-hand websites to see if the items were listed for sale, in some cases. (credit:eBay)