Police Forces Still Failing at Basic Investigative Work, Inspectorate Report Says

Too many police forces in England and Wales are still failing to get the basics right, according to HMIC chief inspector Michelle Skeer’s annual report. Victims are not consistently receiving the quality of service they should expect.

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There are still areas where performance is not good enough.

Forces continue to struggle with gathering evidence, identifying and pursuing lines of inquiry, and keeping victims informed. The report also points to delays in handling emergency and non-emergency calls, slow responses to incidents, and inconsistent safeguarding of vulnerable people.

The findings were particularly stark among the 13 forces assessed in the current inspection cycle. None received a good or outstanding rating for investigating crime or providing a safe and lawful custody environment. The forces included Merseyside, Cumbria, Devon and Cornwall, Suffolk, Staffordshire, Thames Valley, West Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, North Yorkshire, Humberside and Kent.

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If managed correctly, I firmly believe that reform presents a significant opportunity to deliver a better service for both the public and those working within policing.

The report nevertheless recorded progress in neighbourhood policing and in some work by regional organised crime units. It said officers increasingly face complex and resource-intensive cases as crime and threats evolve. Skeer called it a “pivotal moment for policing” and said “there are still areas where performance is not good enough”.

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Our plans will tackle the long-term challenges in the policing system and bring it into the modern day.

She said reform could improve services for the public and police staff if managed correctly. Government plans include creating a National Police Service to take over counter-terrorism and fraud investigations. Policing minister Sarah Jones said the reforms would raise standards, expand neighbourhood policing and make better use of technology. Victim Support said police forces were under immense pressure but “must get the basics right”.

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Police forces are undoubtedly under immense pressure, but they must get the basics right.