HMIC: Essex Police praised as good – but more to do

ESSEX Police has been classified as “good” at reducing crime, preventing reoffending and investigating offences, but needs to do more to investigate offending, according to a new report.

The evaluation was made by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary as part of the first of a new style of annual report. Every force in England and Wales has been examined by HMIC in terms of its Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (‘PEEL assessment’).

The report found: “The force works well with partners to reduce and prevent offending and to tackle anti-social behaviour. It has made great progress in improving services to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour.

“There is clear evidence of a commitment by the force and its staff to prevent crime and reduce offending. The force has taken significant steps to increase its ability to identify and deal with those victims of crime who are particularly vulnerable.”

However, the force needs to do more to improve the investigative capability of its staff, the report found.

It said: “Essex faces challenges in respect of levels of crime. The force needs to do more to improve its standards of investigation and supervision of investigators, and to improve the training and professional expertise of its staff. The way that it responds to calls for service from the public requires improvement.”

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, Zoë Billingham, said: “I do have concerns that the force needs to do more to improve its standards of crime investigation, supervision of investigators and the way that it responds to calls for service from the public.”

Publishing the report this week, Ms Billingham added: “I have been impressed with the improvements made by Essex Police across a number of areas, notably the service it provides to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour. It has also improved its ability to identify and deal with people who are vulnerable. The chief constable has taken personal oversight of the improvements in how the force responds to domestic abuse.

“I have been pleased with the way Essex Police has responded to the financial challenge of this spending review. The force is on track to achieve its savings challenge. The force has achieved significant cost reductions while protecting frontline posts. The continued commitment to collaboration with Kent Police is likely to form the basis of an affordable way of providing policing across the county in the future.

Full report here http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/essex/