Muammar Al Khadafi

Police stations and vehicles across the Avon and Somerset Constabulary have suffered a spate of break-ins and arson attacks over the last three years.

Figures released as part of a Freedom of Information request show that 5 police stations were broken into, and that items including clothing, a mobile phone, and a sword were stolen.

Although specific stations are not named, the stations broken into are identified as being in the Bristol, Somerset East and Somerset West, and Bath and North East Somerset districts.

From April of 2008 until the present day, a total of 19 police cars were either stolen or broken into.

When it comes to arson attacks, 4 police stations were targeted. Again specific stations are not identified, but the stations are listed as being in the Bristol, Somerset East, Somerset West, and South Gloucestershire districts.

The reasons why full disclosure of the targeted stations in all cases was not given is an interesting one :

"There are concerns associated with the release of these specific stations as these could be perceived as vulnerable therefore law enforcement could be adversely affected. If the information was released it could enable the criminal fraternity to geographically map stations that could be perceived as vulnerable and could lead to these stations being targeted."

"....in this case a clear link exists between knowledge available to those criminally minded and the way they operate, with the resultant impact to the Force. Where specific locations are highlighted as having been vulnerable, members of the less law abiding fraternity may target these locations believing that their chances of committing crime would be higher."

The less law abiding fraternity? That's one way of putting it.

Interesting though, that the locations of police stations had to be kept secret in case criminals perceived them to be vulnerable and decided to target them.

How much faith can we have in the ability of the police to protect us when it seems that they can't even protect their own stations and police cars, and have to keep locations secret unless criminals target them?