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The purpose of this meeting was to assess the reason for increased burglaries on the domestic front. (There is little need for us as to ask the reason for the increase of burglaries on the commercial front as it is, in all probability, down to the well known side effect of DD243 that also may lead to an increase of attacks upon the person. Still, we shall leave the discussion on DD243 for yet another day.)

My train of thought on attending the conference was that of being quite antagonistic.

I was of the opinion that the reason for increased burglaries in the home, is down to the fact that the police will not attend domestic burglaries without confirmation and often turn up to a burglary (for insurance reasons only) the following day, if not days later.

Still, I held my breath and listened to the evidence presented at the conference and entered into discussion groups as requested.

I was shocked to find an alarm company that was protesting about the improved standards of the industry reducing their profits – with no concern about the wasted police time that has led to the present problems.

And so I left the conference not a happy man, with my views on crime and prevention sadly intact ... ie, we need the police to attend victims and in doing so possibly catch some offenders, for although the system may not reform offenders, at least they cannot offend when they are locked up. This gives the public some rest and peace of mind, from the offender if only for a limited period.

And so we come to Christmas Day ... an alarm activation occurs (not a police response system). Upon attendance to this family home, (the family being out visiting relatives as is often the case on Christmas Day), we find the back door is open and the security chain is snapped. Are offenders on the premises or not, we ask ourselves?

So we dial 999, as this is visual confirmation on site of an intruder possibly in the premises.

And what is the response from the police? According to the operator, we are "wasting police and emergency time in phoning" as they do not attend domestic burglaries.

Furthermore, they do not agree that phoning the general police number and being put through to a number that may not be answered for a long period if at all is "a true reflection of reality".

This statement , that is recorded as are all 999 calls, makes the case of the police abandoning responsibility for crime prevention and the apprehension of criminals.

This being the case, perhaps it is time that we are given police powers that include the use of batons, mace, handcuffs and the ability to ignore traffic regulations, when in response to a potential or actual criminal act.

The 'system' (the police), has apparently abandoned its responsibility to protect life and property and as such needs radical reform.

Either that or their duties need to be put out to tender with the best bid that is capable of doing the job (private security) taking over all police functions in regard to burglary.

This will leave the police to do what they do best ... booking the private motorist who is doing 42 in a 40 mph area on an empty road at three in the morning, or, better still, booking an alarm company vehicle for parking on double yellow lines in the middle of a city at four on a Sunday morning, whilst a stolen bell box is being replaced ... a probable attempt to disarm an alarm system before a burglary.

What really discourages me is that in conversations with many retired and still serving police officers, of all ranks, they in the majority agree with all of the above, but feel powerless to do anything about it.

Take note Police Federation.