Bedfordshire Police told to improve crime investigations in latest inspection
HMICFRS highlights critical shortages of detectives and high workloads as barriers to effective crime investigation in Bedfordshire Police
Bedfordshire Police has been told it must improve how it investigates crime following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
The PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) report identified that only 59% of detective posts in the force are filled with trained detectives. As of March 2024, the force had just 245 trained detectives in post, leaving a shortfall of 167. Only 23 officers were undergoing detective training, raising concerns about the force’s capacity to handle serious and complex investigations.
The inspectorate found that some officers without the necessary training were managing serious cases, including rape investigations. During the inspection, examples were highlighted where individual investigators were handling up to 30 cases at once, with some involving high-risk and complex crimes.
The report noted that the force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and protecting vulnerable people teams were operating with low morale and were often understaffed, leaving investigators struggling to keep up with demand. It was also reported that CID teams frequently had only half the personnel required on duty.
The inspectors called for “immediate steps” to ensure that the force has enough trained detectives on duty and that workloads are more manageable. They also highlighted the need for better supervision and quality control in case handovers from uniformed officers to detectives, as this was causing delays in securing outcomes for victims.
Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst responded to the findings, stating: “The report makes clear the challenges we face in recruiting and retaining detectives, which is a national issue but one we are committed to addressing locally. Since the inspection, we have already made good progress, including increasing solved rates, providing more training opportunities, and introducing dashboards to prioritise high-risk suspects.”
The report also flagged that Bedfordshire Police was not consistently complying with the Victims’ Code, which sets out how victims of crime should be treated. In 63 out of 84 reviewed cases, a victim needs assessment was completed, but inspectors found that this was not being done consistently, and victims were not always informed of their crime number or the name of their investigating officer.
Inspectors found that only 7.8% of victim-based crimes in Bedfordshire were solved in the year ending March 2024, which is below the national average. HMICFRS has called on the force to better understand and address the reasons for these low rates to improve outcomes for victims.
Positive findings highlight innovation and improved emergency call handling
While the report highlighted several areas for improvement, it also commended Bedfordshire Police for its innovation and improvements in emergency call handling.
The inspectorate praised the force’s use of technology, including its collaboration with Amazon Web Services to incorporate artificial intelligence into crime investigation and public safety efforts. This innovation was recognised as a positive step in improving efficiency and effectiveness.
HMICFRS also noted significant improvements in the force’s handling of 999 calls, with the average time to answer emergency calls now reduced to just five seconds. Chief Constable Rodenhurst said: “This is a testament to the dedication of our team and their commitment to ensuring the public receives the help they need quickly.”
Efforts to prevent knife crime were also commended, particularly in Luton, where workshops and community outreach programmes have reached over 300 young people. A social media campaign has extended this messaging to a further 79,000 individuals.
The report highlighted Bedfordshire Police’s work to address male violence against women and girls, including an increase in Clare’s Law referrals. The force also reported a rise in the use of Sexual Risk Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, which more than doubled from 55 to 104 in the past year.
Chief Constable Rodenhurst added: “The report recognises the brilliant work being done by our officers and staff to keep our communities safe. While we acknowledge the areas where we need to improve, we are proud of the progress we have made and remain committed to continuing this positive trajectory.”