Only 5 per cent of reported crime results in convictions.

But furious rank and file bobbies see it as a bid to reduce levels of reported crime by downgrading offences.

For one thing, an increase in reported crime may not reflect actual trends.

In 79 per cent of cases, the reported crime went undetected.

If the courts were empty because actual and not just reported crime were falling to the same extent, then we would all be delighted.