Police have warned those tempted to make false burglary reports they will be caught after a man who wrecked his own door tried to claim he had been the victim of break-in.
Airedale and North Bradford CID have said anyone tempted to make a false report could expect at least a fine and possibly criminal proceedings after taking action against the Bradford man for wasting police time.
Officers issued the 39-year-old man with an £80 fine for the false report which was made on April 24.
In it the man contacted Police to say his property on Ashbourne Road had been burgled causing damage to his front door.
Detectives were suspicious of the report however and, following investigation, established the man had damaged his own door and wanted a crime number to have it repaired at his landlord’s expense.
Tackling domestic burglary remains a key priority for Airedale and North Bradford Police and reported offences are investigated by detectives and forensic crime specialists often at significant costs in terms of man hours and resources.
Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: “In this case officers quickly became suspicious of the complainant and investigations uncovered that a false report had been made to cover up the fact he had damaged his own door.
“False reporting of crimes wastes valuable time and resources which officers would otherwise spend trying to help those who are genuine victims and will not be tolerated.”
The Detective Inspector said detectives and Crime Scene Evaluators who attended homes following reports were highly trained and anyone tempted to try and fake a burglary should not be surprised if they were caught out.
“Anyone who does make a false report of a burglary, whether for personal gain or other reasons, can expect to face appropriate action,” he added.
