Dal Babu’s article (I was a senior officer – and even I struggle to get the police to investigate crimes, 11 August) follows the report on police failings by the chief inspector of constabulary. Like Babu, I too was a chief superintendent, and then served as a deputy police and crime commissioner (PCC) before retiring in 2014. We are now suffering the consequences of the actions of the worst home secretary in living memory, Theresa May, supported by her austerity boys George Osborne and David Cameron.
Under the guise of reform, May hollowed out the police service. The loss of tens of thousands of officers and support staff stripped the service of vast experience, well-established processes and, most importantly, time. She stripped away the ability to investigate. Those left on the frontline, with no support behind them, are simply not able to undertake what is expected of them.
