The police risk losing public trust unless they explain to victims why officers are failing to investigate crimes, the policing minister warns today.

Nick Hurd's intervention comes as it emerges that some forces are now using algorithms to help screen out hard to solve crimes.

Writing in today's Daily Telegraph Mr Hurd says that British policing is facing a "watershed moment".

He says: "Trust has always been integral to this country’s model of policing and the police need to recognise that a key part of their relationship with the public is explaining themselves clearly and credibly."

"The British public know our police are under pressure. We expect the police to take all reports of crime seriously and for each case to receive an initial investigation.

"But when all is said and done, any decision not to investigate further must be properly communicated to the victims."