UK police ‘are not thought police’, says new chief

HM inspector of constabulary Andy Cooke says constables should focus on dealing with actual offences and avoid politics with a small P'

Police forces are not the thought police" and should focus on dealing with actual offences and keeping the public safe, the new HM chief inspector of constabulary has said.

Andy Cooke, who took over last month, said chief constables should avoid politics with a small P" and remember there is a clear distinction between what is and is not a crime.