The powers mean they can dismiss a crime if the investigation cost outweighs the value of the item stolen or damaged.
Victims have been told that unless the stolen object exceeds £50 in value, police do not have to bother with an investigation.
The move has been roundly condemned by MPs, anti-crime campaigners and criminologists who said the scheme handed offenders a ‘licence to steal’.
They also said the police power of ‘discretionary disposal’ could forever change the criminal justice system which was founded on a principle of caution or prosecute.
Mark Williams, a businessman who had his fridge stolen, was stunned to hear police would not investigate as it was worth less than £50.
The 50-year-old, of New Ferry, Wirral, was selling the fridge on eBay, with the buyer picking it up from his flat. The fridge was loaded into his van and he told Williams he would secure it and then pay him. Instead, he drove away.
Williams called police, giving them the vehicle registration, the man’s name and description and details of his eBay account.
But he received a letter a few days later from Merseyside Police, which read: “I am sorry to inform you that the theft that you reported will not be investigated due to the low value of the fridge (£16.00) as the cost of the investigation would outweigh the cost of the item stolen.”
“The crime report will be closed using the Police Discretionary Disposal method as it is not in the public interest to pursue the offender,” it added.
Williams said that he was absolutely astonished police have been handed the power. “It is a charter for criminals, a licence to commit crimes.”