I was watching one of these programmes that follow the police during their daily routine.
They received a call saying that a gang had attached a card skimming machine and were back to take it away, together with all the information they had skimmed so they could start using it to make thousands of pounds worth of fdraudulent transactions with other people's cards.
It was very impressive as false things go - painted the correct colour, all required electronics inside to read the magnetic strip and a camera to record the PIN number being inputted. The commentary confirmed that £1 million A DAY is lost to card fraudsters.
The police were, in fairness, brilliant. They got to the scene, blocked their car in and unbelievably perhaps managed to arrest all 5 of the gang members, even though they scarpered off in all directions. One was floored within about 2 metres, another policeman managed to detain two gang members on his own, great stuff.
Now, due to the appearance, and more importantly their reactions to police orders, it seemed quite apparent these conmen weren't British. They didn't seem to understand what they were being ordered to do at all.
They were all charged, then bailed to appear at a later date.
NOT ONE OF THEM TURNED UP AND NOW NOBODY KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE!!!
Why the hell do the police even bother.