POLICE have fined a teenager who wrongly claimed he had been robbed.
The 17-year-old from Dewsbury was given an £80 fixed penalty fine for wasting police time.
He claimed he had been attacked in Dewsbury on June 6 and had money stolen from him.
But officers from the Dewsbury Robbery Team which investigated the allegation found inconsistencies in his story. They later confronted him with their suspicions and he admitted making it up. Police think it was a bid to made a bogus claim for recompense.
Most people caught out in this way used to be given a formal caution.
Det Con Mick Coles, of Dewsbury CID, said: "We conduct extensive and thorough investigations into all reports of robbery.
"On this occasion a number of police hours were wasted looking into an incident that never happened. We could have spent that time tackling genuine offences."
Pc Steve Hinchcliffe, also of Dewsbury CID, added: "Anyone considering making a false crime report should take note.
However, genuine victims should never be discouraged from coming forward. "
The penalty notice scheme came in on April 1 so a number of offences - such as being drunk and disorderly - can be dealt with in this way.
