Report criticises Cambridgeshire Police for management of sex offenders

The report found it "inadequate at responding to the public and managing offenders and suspects"

Author: Victoria HornagoldPublished 12th Mar 2024
Last updated 12th Mar 2024

A report has found Cambridgeshire Police needs to improve the way it manages sexual and violent offenders, investigates images of children, and answers emergency calls.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services rated Cambridgeshire Constabulary inadequate in these areas.

In one instance, the Inspector found a "high-risk person had been in and out of prison" had not been visited by police for several months, and "supervisor reviews were poor."

Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “We welcome today’s report from HMICFRS as it’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the service we provide, celebrate what we are doing well, and look at what we need to improve to provide an even better service for the people of Cambridgeshire."

The force was rated outstanding in "police powers and public treatment".

It was rated good at "preventing crime" and "developing a positive workplace".

Cambridgeshire Constabulary was rated adequate at "investigating crime" and "protecting vulnerable people".

It reported the force doesn’t always achieve acceptable outcomes and doesn’t solve enough of the crimes it investigates.

The report also found "it must answer 999 and 101 calls faster, and respond to those incidents more quickly too."

"It must also improve at managing risks from registered sex offenders in the community and to children from indecent images online."

The force is the only in the country to receive an ‘outstanding’ grade for how police powers were used.

Nick Dean described this as a "testament to the innovative work we have put in place to ensure fairness and transparency at every opportunity.”

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