Police forces 'let down victims'

Some police forces have been letting down victims and families of serious crimes, according to a watchdog.

A review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) singled out Cumbria, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and City of London Police.

They were found to be lacking the specialist skills and resources needed to manage murders, sexual assaults, and other serious offences.

Urgent work was needed to bring them up to national standards, HMIC said.

The public rightly expects their local police service to protect them from serious harm Denis O'Connor, HMIC

There was also criticism of the four forces, as well as Cheshire and Wiltshire, for failing to collect information and develop tactics to understand the threat of major crime.

The best performing forces - Manchester, Merseyside, London and the West Midlands - were all in larger metropolitan areas.

Inspectors said these had shown the capacity, capability and leadership to exceed the expected standard.

However, some of the smaller forces, where there were lower levels of violent and serious crime, were found to be weaker.

Officials inspected all 43 forces in England and Wales between July and September last year.

Tragic events

Denis O'Connor, head of HMIC, said: "Major crime has devastating impact on individual victims, their families, and the wider community.

"This report shows that while the police response to homicide is improving, some forces in England and Wales are still failing victims and families affected by major crime, and must improve their services.

"The public rightly expects their local police service to protect them from serious harm and respond professionally when tragic events occur.

"While most forces can and do meet that expectation, some cannot. This needs to change.

"Police leaders must ensure that their response to all major crime is of the highest quality, and that they work with partners to reduce risk and violence in our communities."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version