Police still 'inadequate' and 'requiring improvement'
The latest inspection has been published into the performance of Devon & Cornwall Police
Last updated 11th Jul 2024
Devon and Cornwall Police are still 'inadequate' and 'requiring improvement' in some areas - according to the latest inspection.
In the damning report, inspectors have raised concerns that the standards of the force's investigations have deteriorated.
They also say the force still isn’t attending incidents - resulting from calls - as fast as it should, while there has been improvements to its 999 call responses and work to deter antisocial behaviour has been praised.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said: “I have concerns about the performance of Devon and Cornwall Police in keeping people safe, reducing crime, and providing victims with an effective service.
“Since our previous inspection, the force has made significant efforts to improve in the areas we highlighted as causes of concern or areas for improvement, which is recognised. However, despite those improvements, more is required to place the force in a position where it is consistently providing a good standard of service to its local communities.
“The force has made considerable improvements in how it treats the people who contact it, from the quality of the initial call to the services the force offers. But the force still needs to improve the time it takes to attend incidents.
“I look forward to seeing how the force continues to work to improve its performance, which I will be closely monitoring.”
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded Devon and Cornwall Police’s performance across eight areas of policing. It found the force was good in one area, adequate in three areas, requires improvement in two areas and inadequate in two areas.
HMICFRS said the force has a good approach to preventing and deterring crime, antisocial behaviour and vulnerability. There have also been improvements in the time taken to answer 999 calls and the number of calls abandoned has been reduced.
However, inspectors said they had 'concerns that the standards of the force's investigations have deteriorated, with many investigations lacking a detailed plan or effective supervision'. The inspectorate also said the force 'still isn’t attending incidents resulting from calls for service as fast as it should'.
In October 2022, HMICFRS placed Devon and Cornwall Police into its enhanced monitoring stage, Engage. This process helps to provide additional scrutiny and support from across the policing sector to help Devon and Cornwall Police continue to make improvements.
Hits Radio will be hearing from the Acting Chief Constable for the force later today