This is the force's third official inspection in less than a year.

Inspectors were called in after claims from the chief constable, Steve Green, that his officers were "struggling to cope" with a rise in violent crime.

The force was told in July to make significant and visible progress in delivering its policing plan.

Recovery plan

The plan covers leadership, response to the public and the handling of serious and violent crime.

In the last inspection in July, officials said the force had made "real progress" in its handling of murders and violent crime.

Nottinghamshire Police Authority chairman John Clark said the inspectors will find a significant drop in gun crime in the city over the past year.

He added the police force still needs more resources.

"I think police officers are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

The government has the power to intervene in the running of police forces which fail an inspection.