West Midlands Police no longer in special measures
West Midlands Police has been removed from 'enhanced monitoring' after making several improvements.
West Midlands Police has made improvements and has, therefore, been removed from an enhanced level of monitoring by the police inspectorate.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) continuously monitors the performance of all police forces in England.
West Midlands Police said: "We have today been recognised as the fastest improving force in the country after it was removed from special measures.
"Unprecedentedly, after less than ten months, HMICFRS has moved the force out of its enhanced monitoring process called ‘Engage’."
The monitoring process consists of two phases: Scan and Engage. All police forces are in routine monitoring under the Scan phase by default, but may be escalated to enhanced monitoring under the Engage phase if they are not effectively addressing the inspectorate’s concerns.
West Midlands Police was moved into Engage on 24 November 2023.
In September 2024, the force was re-inspected to assess progress against the five recommendations associated with this remaining cause of concern. Three of these recommendations have been closed. They include how it:
- manages the risk posed to the public by registered sex offenders and online child abuse offenders;
- manages its multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARAC) to keep vulnerable people safe; and
- carries out effective investigations which lead to satisfactory results for victims.
Following a revisit earlier this year, there was one remaining cause of concern, which related to how well the force carries out effective investigations that lead to satisfactory results for victims.
The cause of concern remains open, and the force's progress will be assessed as part of a continuous assessment approach.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford heaped praise on his officers, staff and volunteers for their hard work and significant improvements achieved throughout the last year.
He said: “People living within the West Midlands should, and now can, expect to receive a good policing response.
"At the heart of everything we do, is the public, keeping people safe and bringing offenders to justice.
"Any victim is one too many so we are focusing every effort on preventing crime, working with our partners and communities to problem-solve and tackle the issues that matter most to people.
"Today, being recognised by HMICFRS for the improvements the force has made and in record time, it gives me the opportunity to rightly praise the professionalism and commitment of our officers and staff who continue to work tirelessly across the West Midlands.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said: “I am pleased with the progress that West Midlands Police has made so far. Whilst there is still more to do, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary has decided to remove the force from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.
“We are reassured by the plans the police force has in place to continue making improvements, particularly in relation to our recommendations on how well the force carries out effective investigations. We will continue to assess its progress to make sure the people of West Midlands are getting the service they deserve.”