Budget Cuts Lead to Slower Response Time in UK Police – Watchdog

Zoe Billingham, the inspector authoring the report, particularly highlighted concerns over the force’s inadequate effectiveness at protecting victims and those vulnerable to harm – especially missing children. The Force’s plan aligns closely to the priorities set by the Police & Crime Commissioner on behalf of local people.

“We’ve seen how some forces are attempting to reduce pressure on their teams by artificially suppressing or downgrading calls upon their service, reducing their ability to take the most effective and prompt action”.

This follows an overall good grading in the Efficiency inspections; an outstanding grade in one area for the force’s comprehension of current and future demand and an overall rating of good looking at how legitimate the force is at keeping people safe and reducing crime.

He said: “I am delighted the inspectors have recognized the fantastic strides forward the force has made in the past year and all the staff at Lincolnshire Police deserve great credit for the improvements”.

“Work is already under way to make further improvements to the service we provide and in the ways we go about preventing reoffending”.

“The force carries out good quality investigations, and has good processes in place to identify, investigate and bring repeat and risky offenders to justice and prevent them from re-offending”.

The inspectorate is concerned that there is no coherent national picture of threat posed to communities by organised crime groups.

The inspection found NWP has a good understanding of the communities it serves, including some which are hard to reach.

“It has equipped officers well to work with partners to promote resolutions that protect communities and victims”.

In its annual report on forces, the inspectors said officers were arresting fewer people, too many crimes were being shelved and some suspects were not being pursued. We found serious weaknesses in the way the force assesses the risks to victims at the point at which they first contact the police.

“Importantly, the report recognises North Yorkshire Police for the improvements made in putting the needs of vulnerable victims and people at the very heart of our service”.

The force allocates the majority of investigations to appropriately skilled officers and staff, but on some occasions, officers without the necessary skills and experience are allocated high risk and complex cases says HMI Wendy Williams.

However, in one area of the inspection – preventing re-offending – Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s (HMIC) inspectors state that Northumbria does require improvement and recommendations have been set. “Whilst we will continue to strive to improve and will of course address all the HMIC’s observations, it is important that the totality of the services provided by the force are seen in context”.

Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner Kathryn Holloway.

Steve White, Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said it has warned about the “pitfalls of continually taking the axe to police budgets over successive years”.

NPCC crime operations lead Chief Constable Michael Barton conceded budget cuts of 22 per cent since 2012 meant forces were “required to prioritise more”.

“I will continue to hold the Force to account to make sure that everything possible is being done to maintain this excellent standard of performance”.