THIS is an article that we have run on our sister site, www.yourharlow.com. But we thought it was relevant to Thurrock as well.
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SEEMS like a fair question. You may have been aware of the spate of shoplifting incidents at the BP garage on Southern Way in Harlow. Time and time again, we would be sent a press release, as a person strides out with a side of salmon or a half of beef under their arm (they certainly had good taste!).
So you could understand how pleased, Harlow Police would be when they made an arrest and subsequently charged a male with a series of thefts.
But we raised our eyebrows when the twitter account of PC Rob Hance announced "Pc knights has today arrested and charged a prolific shoplifter for a large number shopliftings at bp southern way Harlow."
This is not the first time, that an Essex Police officer has claimed that a person arrested is "Known to the police, has form etc." but is it fair on that person?
On previous occasions, in Thurrock, we have sent a message to the officer and just asked "Is that wise?" But as it has happened again, we thought we would put it to the public and see what you think?
We asked Essex Police for full details of the arrest and charge as well as details of their previous convictions. They gave us the details of the arrest and charge but did not brief us re their previous convictions.
And no-one has taken the tweet down, a fact that you might see as suggesting that Essex Police are comfortable with this practise.
We are not going to publish details of the arrest and charge because we feel it may undermine the question we are asking.
You may think (forgive the pun) that we are being far too pc and if the police have got a good capture, then good for them. You may also say that they haven’t revealed any of the person’s particulars.
Others, including the accused’s lawyer, may think differently. You just worry that one day, someone in Essex Police is going to tweet something that may have grave consequences.
We will leave it to you. Have your say..
