Humberside Police told to improve safeguarding
ASSESSMENT: Humberside Police headquarters in Priory Road
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Humberside Police has been told to improve its safeguarding procedures around children and adults at risk of harm.
A report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire Services also found the force does not always record rape crimes correctly from reported incidents of rape, or cancel rape crimes correctly.
Overall, the inspectorate assessed the force in nine areas of policing and gave the each following gradings:
Outstanding: Preventing and deterring crime
Good: Responding to the public
Adequate: Leadership and force management; developing a diverse and inclusive workforce; police powers and public treatment; investigating crime; managing fraud; providing a safe custody environment
Requires improvement: Safeguarding children and adults.
The PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) report found “gaps in oversight for some important elements of safeguarding governance”, and said “senior leaders weren’t aware of the issues” it identified.
Michelle Skeer OBE QPM, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “I am satisfied with most aspects of the performance of Humberside Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime.
“The force has maintained outstanding performance in prevention and deterrence and made improvements regarding outcomes for victims of crime. But the force needs to improve some of its processes, such as in safeguarding.
“There are some areas I believe the force should have acted on much sooner; however, the speed of response hasn’t been helped by a lack of stability in the chief officer team and other senior posts.
“I am optimistic that its new permanent leadership team, together with its committed officers and staff, will continue its positive trajectory. We will continue to monitor its progress.”
Responding to the report, which was published today, 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 everyday 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 Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison 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.”