It is ‘a positive report’ overall but the Chief Constable said ‘we have more work to do’
Humberside Police officer at the Humber Bridge(Image: Humberside Police)
Humberside Police has been told its safeguarding of children and adults at risk of harm must improve. The force’s latest PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) report, which grades various aspects of the police‘s responsibilities, has resulted in a mixed bag for Humberside Police, with rankings ranging from ‘outstanding’ to ‘requires improvement’.
Among the criticisms, the assessment found that the force “doesn’t always record rape crimes correctly”. The report states: “If the force doesn’t record crimes correctly then they may not be investigated properly, and victims may not receive the service they expect and deserve from the police.”
Humberside Police was ranked ‘outstanding’ for preventing and deterring crime, antisocial behaviour, and reducing vulnerability. The force was also praised for its use of “innovative practice” in this area, such as the development of a key individual network mapping system.
The force was graded as ‘good’ for responding to the public. In other areas the force has been deemed ‘adequate’.
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Commenting on the report, Michelle Skeer OBE QPM, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “I was pleased to see that the force had maintained outstanding performance in prevention and deterrence. It has a higher number of neighbourhood officers than the average for forces in England and Wales.
“I congratulate the force for improving outcomes for victims of crime. The rate of positive outcomes is now higher than the typical range for forces in England and Wales, despite the force having to deal with some significant investigation challenges and demand. I was pleased to see how investigators cared for their work…I am optimistic that its [Humberside Police’s] new leadership team, together with its committed officers and staff, will continue to support the improvements needed.”
In his response to the report, Humberside Police’s Chief Constable, Chris Todd, said: “Overall, this is a positive report for Humberside Police which is reflective of the hard work and commitment of officers and staff who work tirelessly every day to serve the people who live, visit and work in Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
“When people call us – we answer. When people need us – we turn up and when we investigate a crime – we get an outcome.
“We are one of the best forces in the country for responding to the public, with some of the fastest call answer times and we have one of the best neighbourhood policing teams that remains, and has continued to remain, an absolute priority for Humberside Police.
“We have more work to do – and so much has changed already since the inspection began 12 months ago. It is important that every police force, including Humberside Police, continues to improve; we owe that to the communities we serve.
“Humberside Police has not stopped being brilliant and the service the public receive from us continues to be brilliant. I am immensely proud of my officers and staff who work so hard, in often very difficult and challenging circumstances.”
Humberside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Evison, has also reacted to the report’s findings. He said: “PEEL inspections are an important ‘point in time’ summary of police forces’ performance. I am delighted that again, the hard work and determination of Humberside Police officers and staff to prevent crime and keep our communities safe has been recognised in this report. We have more police officers than ever before out on our streets every day working to keep us all safe and I thank them for that.
“I am pleased that the report recognises Humberside Police’s strengths in neighbourhood policing, answering and responding to calls from the public, and the improvements made in outcomes for victims of crime. The prevention of crime is also highlighted as a success of the force; this is vital, as the best way to support a victim of crime is to stop them becoming a victim in the first place. However, it also highlights areas requiring improvement and we must always strive to do better.
“Last year I appointed a new Chief Constable, and through my regular holding to account sessions I have seen how steps have been taken to identify corrective measures. I agree with HM Inspector that progress has been made and that the force has the leadership in place to sustain this. I will continue to seek assurance of them on behalf of the public and work to ensure our communities get the police force they deserve.”
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