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. 

Responding to the findings, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Burglaries and thefts are deeply distressing for victims, and when the police fail to take action it makes that experience even worse leading to a loss of faith in the system.

"The Conservatives have spent 12 years running down our police, leading to overstretched and inexperienced officers, victims let down and criminals let off.”

Chief Inspector of constabulary Andy Cooke said while Tory cuts had a damaging effect, forces were failing to use the resources they already had. 

He told Sky News today that policing was “missing opportunities” in responding to these types of crimes, from the initial call through to the conclusion of cases. 

“Policing can do better,” he added. 

It comes as the Home Office released figures showing that only 6 per cent of robbery offences and 4.2 per cent of thefts in England and Wales resulted in a charge in the year to December 2021.