Essex makes “significant progress” with vulnerable people

ESSEX Police has made “significant progress” in its efforts to protect vulnerable people, HMIC has found.

In December last year, the force was graded as “inadequate” at supporting victims and protecting those who are vulnerable from harm. But the results of a follow-up inspection, carried out in March and published this month, show that Essex now puts “children and vulnerable people at the centre of everything the force does”.

HMIC said Essex had improved its response to domestic abuse, which had been described as “poor” seven months ago. It also now has “effective and reliable processes” in place to respond to and safeguard victims.

HMI Zoë Billingham said the commitment to protecting vulnerable people and children was not just shown at senior level.

“Frontline officers and staff have also worked hard to improve the service they provide to vulnerable people, particularly victims of domestic abuse and children,” she said.

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Constable of Essex Police, praised the “hard work and commitment” of everyone at Essex Police to improve how the force helps vulnerable members of the public.

He noted that the force is one of the most poorly funded in the country, but said that few forces have “invested or prioritised more in dealing with these issues”.

“People in Essex who really need us can have confidence in the recognition by inspectors that we now have effective and reliable processes in place to respond to and safeguard victims,” said Mr Kavanagh, although he acknowledged there was still a “long way to go”.

For example, the force will roll out new technology, such as body-worn cameras, which will capture vital evidence to help secure prosecutions, he said.

“We have demonstrated a clear commitment to doing our best to protect the most vulnerable people in our society and that work has been recognised,” said Mr Kavanagh, describing the report as “just the next step on our journey”.