Staffordshire Police is not carrying out effective investigations, the police inspectorate has said. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) also said Staffordshire Police is failing to properly identify and assess victims’ vulnerability when they first contact the police.
HMICFRS has therefore issued two causes of concern to Staffordshire Police. This process can be accelerated when a police force’s failures raise concerns about public safety – as is the case with Staffordshire Police.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said:
“We have serious concerns about two aspects of Staffordshire Police’s performance, which are putting public safety at risk.”
But which of Staffordshire’s Conservative Police and Crime Commissioners is to blame for the damning report from the Inspector of Constabulary? Matthew Ellis, who was responsible up to May 2021 or Benedict Adams responsible since?
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said:
“We have serious concerns about two aspects of Staffordshire Police’s performance, which are putting public safety at risk.
“The first concern is regarding the force’s call handling. We found that the force is failing properly to identify and assess victims’ vulnerability when they first contact the police. Repeat victims are not always identified, along with others in the household who may also be vulnerable, which means this is not taken into account when considering the response the victim should have. Calls are not always responded to in a timely way.
“The second is regarding how the force carries out investigations, including providing appropriate support for victims. In some cases, investigations were not carried out in a timely manner and relevant and proportionate lines of inquiry were not always completed. Many investigations were not properly reviewed by supervisors, and victims were sometimes not updated throughout investigations.
On the 21st of September Staffordshire’s latest Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, said in response to the police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) report:
“There is still work to be done to bring some fundamental police services up to the standards people expect and deserve. I am greatly reassured that a lot has changed within the force since this inspection in January 2022.”
But he would have been informed of the findings even before the report was published at the end of March.
The Inspectorate, referring to Accelerated Causes of Concern states:
“Previously, when we have identified a cause of concern as part of a PEEL inspection, we have alerted the relevant police force(s) immediately so that remedial action can be taken. However, we have reported that cause of concern and the associated recommendations more publicly in the full force report. This can be some months after we initially uncovered the concern.”
But even if we assume the post was late and he didn’t get the report until the 29th of March, the publication date, then Cause of concern no. 1:
“The force needs to improve how it identifies and assesses vulnerability at first point of contact.” And this needed to be done within three months – so by end of June this year.
And Cause of concern no 2:
“The force needs to make sure that it carries out effective investigations and that it gives victims the support they need.” And this needs to be done within six months – so by the end of September.
The main theme seems to be lack of resources and officers – despite higher than inflation increases every year from 2018/19 by the Police Commissioner. In fact before he become Staffordshire’s first Police and Crime Commissioner Councillor Ellis, as he then was, complained that the Police Authority could increase Council Tax without consultation (2.8% that year) but by 2017 he was saying Council Tax cap should be lifted!
Four years later he was able, and did, increase his share of the tax by 12.46% or 7 times the rate of inflation that year.
ENDS
The Brendewood Blog 