LANCASHIRE Police close investigations without identifying a suspect in eight out of 10 household burglaries and seven in 10 reported vehicle thefts, new analysis shows.

They also ended more than a third of shoplifting cases with the same outcome

Across the three offences, around 11,000 investigations in Lancashire were shut with no suspected culprit in the frame.

The revelations prompted warnings that victims could be put off reporting offences, while criminals are given a “green light to reoffend”.

However police chiefs say increased demand and reduced officer numbers mean they have to prioritise cases where there is a realistic chance of prosecution.

A police spokesman said: “We investigate all cases reported to us and make sure that victims get the support they need. Victims are at the heart of what we do and we strive to get the best outcome we can for them. When it comes to more serious offences such as rape and domestic assault Lancashire Constabulary’s detection rates are in fact much higher than the national average.

“We take reports of burglary very seriously and since January we have secured jail terms totalling over 60 years for some of our most prolific burglars. We are also reinvesting in proactive target teams across the county whose role will include tackling burglary.

“Sometimes in less serious offences a criminal sanction may not be the most appropriate course of action. We use a range of out of court disposals to achieve a positive outcome for the victim but this may not be reflected in the figures.”

There is always room for improvement and we will strive to do the best we can to keep the people of Lancashire safe and feeling safe.”

The figures came from Home Office crime outcomes data, and cover the 12 months to March 2018.

They show that out of the 7,263 household burglary cases opened over that period by Lancashire Police, 79 per cent were categorised as “investigation complete - no suspect identified”.

This is used when a reported crime has been investigated “as far as reasonably possible” and the case is closed pending further investigative opportunities.

Of the total burglary cases, Lancashire Police brought 463 people to court.

Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs committee, said: “Too many investigations are closing without suspects being identified and we are hearing increasing reports of the police being too overstretched to investigate.

“Police forces are under immense pressure with rising serious and violent crime and changing patterns of crime alongside cuts in the numbers of officers and PCSOs.”

“These figures suggest that investigations into volume crimes are now being hit. Failing to identify suspects gives criminals a green light to reoffend.”

The country’s larger police forces tended to have higher percentages of cases closed without a suspect being identified.

Of the 2,137 vehicle thefts recorded in Lancashire, 70 per cent ended up with no suspect being identified, while in the 9,510 shoplifting cases, 3,358 of them were closed with the same outcome.

The police charged 162 suspects with car theft, and 2,800 for shoplifting.

RAC Insurance spokesman Simon Williams said motorists will be “shocked” by the findings.

“This is a sign that thieves have found ways around car security systems and have ways of selling vehicles on with little or no fear of being caught,” he said.

Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for acquisitive crime, said increased demand and fewer officer numbers have led to forces prioritising cases with a realistic prospect of prosecution.

She added: “Police investigate all cases of theft, burglary and shoplifting. Particularly for these types of offences, police focus on targeting prolific offenders, organised crime networks, and ensuring prevention measures by homeowners and businesses are in place.”