Criminals on bail told to take selfies due to officer shortage
Corby police station open two days weekly, prompting bail selfie proof
Criminals on bail are being instructed to take a ‘selfie’ to prove their attendance at a police station due to a lack of officers. A poster at a police station in Corby, Northamptonshire, indicates that the front desk is only open two days a week.
Those who visit outside these hours must take a photo on their phone to prove they were there. They must also sign a piece of paper, note the time and date, and pass it through an unmanned hatch.
Local MP Lee Barron criticised this practice, saying it undermines the judicial system. He stated that a handwritten note or photo as proof of bail compliance is unacceptable. He questioned how people can report crimes when the front desk is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, emphasizing the need for visible and accessible police services.
How ridiculous is UK policing when people answering bail told to take a selfie? https://t.co/HDIn9YlQEw pic.twitter.com/YnZxTgFsFl
— NationalWorld (@NationalWorld) October 1, 2024
Individuals on police bail and convicted criminals are required to report physically to police stations for monitoring purposes. Visitors to Corby police counter see signs instructing them to take a selfie and can also call 101 for an incident number if they attend on days other than Tuesday and Thursday.
Northamptonshire Police attributed the reduced opening times to staffing shortages.
The police counter is located on the first floor of the Corby Cube, a civic building that opened in 2010, £12 million over budget, and was later found to be leaking. The counter, which opened in 2017 to replace the old police station on Elizabeth Street, made Corby the largest town in the country without its own dedicated police station at the time. The old station, sold for £1 million, remains empty.
Previously, the counter was open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Mr Barron, Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, has called for a review and the establishment of a fully-resourced police hub. He stressed that his criticism is not directed at police officers, who he believes deserve better resources. He urged a review of resources to meet community demands adequately.
A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said the reduced hours are due to a shortage of front desk staff, and that new staff are currently being vetted with the aim of resuming normal service soon. They also noted that the Corby Neighbourhood Policing Team is based at the Corby Cube, ensuring a police presence at the location if needed.
What Other Media Are Saying
- r/NewsOfTheUK reports people on bail in Corby are using selfies to prove attendance, highlighting innovative but unorthodox methods in proving bail conditions.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why are criminals on bail asked to take selfies at Corby police station?
Due to a shortage of officers, the station is open only two days a week.
What other proof do criminals on bail need to provide besides a selfie?
They must sign a piece of paper with the time and date and pass it through an unmanned hatch.
When is the Corby police station front desk open?
The front desk is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What is the reason for the reduced hours at the Corby police station?
Northamptonshire Police cited a shortage of front desk staff.
What steps are being taken to address the reduced hours at Corby police station?
New staff are undergoing vetting to resume normal service soon.
