Police send bouquets to victims of crimes unlikely to be solved

Police are giving bouquets of flowers to victims of burglaries and muggings – crimes which they are unlikely to be able to solve. Forces across the country have started sending the flowers to help “soften the blow”, although one victim said she felt “fobbed off” by the gesture.

Among forces involved are the Metropolitan Police and West Mercia Police, where victims are regularly given flowers after having their house broken into. However, rates of detection for burglary are as low as 12 per cent in the areas giving out flowers.



Some of the victims say that, while the gesture is well-meaning, they would rather officers concentrated on finding the perpetrator. In the borough of Barnet, the Met has sent out around 300 bouquets since the initiative started in November, mostly, they say, to elderly women living alone. The flowers have been donated by a florist, which aims to gain business as a result.

A spokesman for the Met in Barnet said the gifts were usually taken in good spirit. “Giving someone flowers helps soften the blow and shows we are there to support them. We have found that just that simple gesture helps start up dialogue with victims and helps them begin to feel safe again, which is important,” the spokesman said.