Cops appeal to criminals' gentler side

Sep 9 2005 By Anna Jeys, Evening Mail

POLICE are resorting to psychological warfare to put the city's violent thugs and muggers in touch with their feminine side.

Cracker-style experts have drawn up a series of new ads designed to trigger the gentler emotions in criminals in the hope it will put them on the straight and narrow.

Postcards are being hand-delivered to habitual criminals in the city showing images such as a little girl waiting for her dad and a pregnant lady.

Supt Andy Bebbington, who is leading the operation, said: "This focuses on what will happen to the people you care about and the people you care for if you are sent to prison; things which really play on people's minds when they are given a custodial sentence.

"The criminal psychologists told us that emphasis on tough prison sentences and negative 'we will get you' style messages don't work with persistent offenders."

West Midlands Police enlisted the help of Birmingham-University psychologists Kevin Browne, Alasdair Goodwill and Louise Dixon to create the visual messages.

It is hoped the postcards will remind career criminals of the family milestones they will miss if the are sent to jail.

The idea is part of Operation Strikeout, a month-long campaign aimed at tackling violent crime and robbery.

More than 800 suspects were arrested in the first week alone, including five persistent crooks who will now be hauled through the courts.

Raids have also been carried out to pick up known offenders.

Mr Bebbington added: "As well as the arrest, raids and postcards we are also sending out a positive message to offenders who want to turn their lives around: 'We will offer you every help and support to move away from a life of crime'."