Officers in England and Wales failed to inform victims how to preserve a crime scene following an incident in seven out of 10 cases, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services found. 

And less than a third of investigators offered crime prevention advice that could stop victims being targeted again. 

The damning report, published today, said the escalating problem was also driven by inexperienced and poorly supervised detectives as cuts to the force meant experienced officers were required to focus on more serious crimes.