14 DAY TRIAL // The latest original and, some say, ridiculous method of policing in Britain comes from the Gloucestershire Constabulary in a partnership with Crimestoppers. The “Too Much Bling, Give Us a Ring” campaign has just been launched, and hopes to put an end to ill-gains by making regular people contact police officers once they suspect someone is wearing bling they can’t afford, The Telegraph informs.
The idea behind the campaign is that criminals are likely to forget that these are times of economic hardship, therefore, more prone to continue purchasing and showing off their bling, be it jewelry items, fancy cars or even fancier homes. The good citizens who notice someone displaying or buying such an item and who suspect the person in question couldn’t legally afford them are encouraged to call the police and communicate with the officers on whatever they see.
“By flaunting their ill-gotten gains criminals signal contempt for everyone who works hard, and act as very poor role models for the younger members of society. In the current time of financial uncertainty, those who live a lavish lifestyle with no discernible, legitimate income become even more apparent. There are certain members of the criminal fraternity for whom a prison sentence or some other form of court punishment is not a sufficient deterrent.” Chief Constable, Dr. Timothy Brain, told the media upon the launch, as cited by The Telegraph.
Adrian Foster from Gloucestershire Crown Prosecution Service agrees, saying that the initiative will also help competent authorities get back at least parts of the ill-gained goods criminals have been stacking up over the past years. “With the evidence that comes from good intelligence, we are able to restrain all of an individual’s cash and bank accounts, their home, vehicles, electrical items and jewelry. Then following a successful prosecution we are able to take back the proceeds that they have accumulated from the last six years of crime.” Foster explains.
Many are not convinced about the initiative, though. Tory MP and former Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe, for instance, has already spoken out against it, saying that if the police were to spend at least half the time they waste on such initiatives successfully tackling crime, Britain “would be better off.”