London, Nov.26 (ANI): British policing has “lost its way” amid the “noise and clutter” of Government targets, initiatives and new laws, the chief of inspector of police has said. Denis O’Connor, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, told The Daily Telegraph that forces have “drifted away” from the core basics of frontline policing and serving the public.

The Government, local authorities and police chiefs have made “too many knee jerk reactions” by throwing new legislation and initiatives at the problems of law and order.

O’Connor said: “The principles of policing get drowned out in the noise. You need to look at the number of units and departments at the Home Office, all the officials and the different committees and ask this question: ‘Do they think about the principles and values of the British model of policing?’”

O’Connor spoke after he unveiled a critical HMIC report into protest policing, following the G20 demonstrations in April. It disclosed that in public order law alone, there had been 61 amendments to legislation in the past six years. (ANI)