Warwickshire Police Auth-ority is planning to change its priorities to ensure officers are not chasing easily solvable crimes for the sake of meeting targets.

Instead they will concentrate on catching criminals that cause "serious harm to communities and individuals".

From September 1, officers will focus on bringing to justice those responsible for murder, attempted murder, serious assault or wounding, assault causing injury and causing death by dangerous driving or whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

But tracking down those who commit crimes such as common assault or cause alarm, fear, distress or harassment will no longer be top priorities.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Parker said: "One of our immediate priorities is targeting our efforts to deliver protection where it is most needed.

"That's about balancing response policing and high visibility patrols with a clear focus on arresting and bringing to justice those who are causing the most harm and disrupting their activities.

"The revised targets will enable us to use our discretion and good judgement in the way we investigate crime.

"All incidents will be recorded in line with national crime recording standards, but the effort we invest in dealing with a crime will be consistent with the harm or risk of harm it poses.

"I can reassure the public that in Warwickshire protecting our communities is not about chasing 'easy' detections for the sake of meeting targets."

The new target will support the force's goals of tracking down serious sexual offenders and identifying and charging 15 members of organised crime groups.

Police authority chairman Phil Blundell said:"This is much more important than securing detections where no harm is involved.
"This move will encourage officers to target their efforts in dealing with crime and that over the coming months we will see the benefit of this approach."