THE Chief Constable of Essex Police has criticised the officers who let a burglar off with a caution after reading about it in the Essex Chronicle.
Ireneusz Blaszczyk escaped a criminal charge after he ransacked a Galleywood home last November and stole jewellery and a games console, and unwrapped a family's Christmas presents.
He handed himself in after a police appeal but, despite confessing to the burglary, he was offered a caution, meaning he would not face a judge or jail.
Chief constable Jim Barker-McCardle said he had referred three officers to the force's professional standards department.
He said: "I was extremely concerned at the police decision. Professionally I was staggered.
"Every bone in my body, every cell in my body, said this looked like a very bad decision by Essex Police. I remain of that view."
He said there were rare occasions where a prosecution is not sought, such as when the burglar is a family member.
"But absolutely not in this case," said Mr Barker-McCardle. He also wrote to the Essex branch of the Magistrates' Association, revealing he was "startled" and "alarmed".
He said he would also look at whether a prosecution was still possible.
Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston backed the chief constable's stance and confirmed that a review into issuing cautions to burglars would take place.
He said: "The key issue for me is whether this was an isolated incident or something more systemic."
Monique Carson, the victim of the burglary, said she was "pleased" with the police's response to the Chronicle's story on March 7.
The 23-year-old returned home, with partner David Cable and their son, Douglas, on November 25 last year to find their house in Pyms Road, Galleywood, ransacked.
"It is devastating to come home and find all your cupboards open and draws pulled to pieces," said Monique, a part-time worker at Hylands House. "It was a real smack in the face to learn the burglar had been given a caution, so I'm very happy with the response to the Chronicle article.
"We are not the only victims of burglary, so I hope this will never happen again."
An Essex Police spokesman said: "Victims of burglary deserve to have confidence in the justice system and the police play a key role in this process. Understandably the family in this case were disappointed by the outcome of the investigation.
"The chief constable has taken a personal interest in this case and has ordered an immediate review of the circumstances to establish what happened.
"This is a very serious issue for the force and when the full facts are known then appropriate action will be taken."
