Police forces failing investigation basics, says inspectorate report

According to the annual report by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC), England and Wales' police forces are struggling with fundamental aspects of their work, including crime investigations, victim services, and response to emergencies. Michelle Skeer, the inspector, reported that many forces are falling short in gathering evidence, identifying and progressing lines of inquiry, and keeping victims informed about their cases.

While there has been progress in neighbourhood policing and work by regional organised crime units, none of the 13 forces assessed during the current cycle received a good or outstanding rating for investigating crime or ensuring a safe and lawful custody environment. Suffolk, Staffordshire, Thames Valley, West Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, North Yorkshire, Humberside, and Kent were among the forces evaluated.

The inspectorate also highlighted issues with handling emergency and non-emergency calls, response times to incidents, and safeguarding of victims due to inconsistencies in recognising vulnerability and failure to allocate resources appropriately in missing persons cases. Despite these challenges, HMIC emphasized that the core strength of policing lies in its workforce, with the majority of officers displaying professionalism and courage.

The government's planned reforms, such as the creation of a National Police Service to handle counter-terror and fraud investigations, may help alleviate some of the pressure on local units, according to the report. Policing minister Sarah Jones stated that these reforms aim to address long-term challenges and bring policing into the modern era, including increased investment in neighbourhood policing, raising standards, and better utilization of technology.

Victim Support, a charity, criticized police forces for not meeting basic requirements, stating that victims deserve respect, access to justice, and their needs to be identified and met. The report also noted that growing financial pressures are exacerbating the strain on police forces, with some forces, like Cleveland, experiencing high crime rates, significant reductions in officers since 2010, and a call for additional resources.