POLICE came under fire today after dropping an investigation into a claim that almost £70,000 has gone missing from a South Tyneside charity.
Detectives staged a year-long investigation into allegations that
the cash disappeared from South Tyneside Arts Studio, a mental health charity based in Derby Terrace, South Shields.
Northumbria Police have now closed the case after deciding t
hey did not have enough evidence to support a charge – but investigators did not seek advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) first.
That decision has angered charity bosses.
Former worker Anthea Roberson, 34, was sacked from the organisation in December 2008 and police were called in to investigate the allegation of missing cash – much of which was public money from South Tyneside Council.
Mrs Roberson, formerly from South Shields but now living in East View, Wideopen, Newcastle, is now mounting a claim for unfair dismissal against the charity.
She said: "I would like to make it clear that I have never been charged with any criminal offence. The police, following an investigation, closed their file on a no further action basis.
"I can confirm that there are ongoing Employment Tribunal proceedings taken by me against the South Tyneside Arts Studio and accordingly it is inappropriate for me to comment further."
The charity has now complained to Northumbria Police Authority but wished to make no further comment on the matter.
The Gazette has also seen e-mails between senior councillors and officials seeking a review of the case but South Tyneside Council are making no comment on the issue today.
A source close to the case, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "We're all flabbergasted.
"Police investigated but decided to take no action without even sending the evidence to the CPS to look at.
"There is £70,000 missing, most of it public money, and nothing is being done about it. I wonder how the people of South Tyneside feel about that."
In February last year, and two months after the police were called in, the charity – now known as Arts 4 Wellbeing – was forced to lay off nine workers because of a "lack of funds".
The year-long investigation closed on December 24.
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the case was not passed on by police.
He added: "In all cases, the police decide whether to refer the case to us and only if they feel there is enough evidence against the accused. This particular case wasn't referred to the CPS."
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "On this occasion a decision was taken by police that there was insufficient evidence to support a charge so the matter was not referred to the CPS."
