Brigg Blog received some astonishing crime figures for the town.
We've spent the best part of 40 years reporting on crime and policing issues in this area but have never seen a monthly set of statistics to match those released in the run up to Christmas.
Latest data issued through www.police.co.uk shows there were only THREE crimes in Brigg during the entire month of November.
That compares with 57 during October - a typical month in a town where we usually see a couple of crimes a day (on average).
You get cynical in this job so we decided to re-read the statistics, and next to the tabulated chart for November 2018 which showed just one burglary, one drugs crime and one relating to a vehicle, was a note with a hyperlink which directed us to a page explaining: "Humberside Police: No crime or outcome is available for November 2018. The force will rectify this issue and provide the missing data with next month's upload."
Clearly SOME data must have been submitted, as three Brigg crimes were recorded and duly published.
Kent was the only other force that failed to make the deadline, and we feel sure this was the first time Humberside Police has failed to pass on its monthly data.
Years ago we used to get local statistics revealed by the local police inspector at public meetings in Brigg's Angel Suite. But those days have gone; now it's all done nationally and emailed monthly to the media, and others, through police.uk
These emails come marked "no reply" so you can't ask for clarification, seek further information or put questions.
In the popular TV crime series A Touch of Frost, do-it-by-the-book Supt Mullet (played by Bruce Alexander) fought a constant battle with old-fashioned copper Det Insp Jack Frost (David Jason) to get his crime sheets in on time. It was a running joke that popped up in many episodes.
Jack felt his time was better spent out on the streets, catching criminals, rather than sitting in the office keeping on top of the paperwork.
Many viewers, doubtless including some from this area, felt Jack had a valid point.
