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Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Gwent Police brings too few offenders to justice inspectors say
Gwent Police brings too few offenders to justice inspectors say It must improve crime investigation and other areas of its work but rates highly for recording crime, File image of a Gwent Police car A Welsh police force brings "too few offenders to justice" and has been told to improve its crime investigation. A report from inspectors says Gwent Police is "improving the service it provides" to victims of rape and other serious crime, but doesn't bring enough culprits to justice. Too many of its investigations lack effective supervision, an inspection report out today (FRI JUNE 27), warns. The force has improved how quickly it answers 999 calls, but still needs to improve how quickly it attends calls and how it manages risk for incidents it can't attend promptly, Chief Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer added. Looking at the force's performance from 2023 to 2025 inspectors found staff complaining their case loads were too high. One sergeant was responsible for supervising 336 cases and another 247. More junior staff reported that they are sometimes sent to crimes they aren't qualified for. The Chief Inspector of Constabulary concluded that Gwent Police's overall performance was satisfactory but with three important areas ranked second from last last in five possible gradings awarded and five as only "adequate". Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough (Image: Jonathon Hill ) Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Article continues below "I am satisfied with some aspects of the performance of Gwent Police in keeping people safe, reducing crime and providing victims with an effective service, but there are areas in which the force needs to improve," Chief Inspector of Constabulary Ms Skeer notes in her introduction to the report. "The force is improving the service it provides to victims of rape and other serious crime. But overall, it brings too few offenders to justice and too many of its investigations lack effective supervision," the hard hitting 55 page inspection report says. Crime investigation and protecting vulnerable people along with leadership and force management were all judged to "require improvement", only one step up from the worst ranking of "inadequate". The force did better in the six other areas judged. It was rated the best possible outstanding for recording crime, particularly crime involving sexual offences and antisocial behaviour. On the four areas of preventing crime, managing offenders, responding to the public, police powers and public treatment and developing a positive workforce the force was rated second from last "adequate". But on crime investigation the inspectors found that only 64 of 73 cases they looked at had investigation plans which met national standards. The force had taken appropriate investigative opportunities in only 71 of 99 cases. This meant realistic lines of enquiry, which may have resulted in offenders being identified, apprehended or brought to justice, weren't always followed. Gwent Police also only effectively supervised 65 of 93 cases examined. "Many sergeants and inspectors in response teams, neighbourhood policing teams, and criminal investigation departments told us that caseloads were too large. They said they couldn't effectively oversee every investigation. We found several examples of sergeants supervising high numbers of cases," the 55-page inspection report adds. In November 2024 the force's operational effectiveness board was told that 36 sergeants were overseeing more than 100 criminal investigations each. One response policing sergeant alone was responsible for 247 cases. In the force's virtual response team, one sergeant was responsible for supervising 336 cases. Many sergeants and inspectors in response teams, neighbourhood policing teams, and criminal investigation departments told inspectors that caseloads were too large. They said they couldn't effectively oversee every investigation. Worryingly, inspectors also found several cases of rapes, assaults and sexual offences against children hadn't received any apparent supervisory action for weeks at a time. And the report goes on: "We found too many examples of investigations into serious and complex crimes allocated to staff without the necessary training. The force should make sure that investigators and supervisors are allocated offences which they are suitably trained to deal with. It should also make sure that they have capacity to investigate promptly." The force also requires improvement in protecting vulnerable people, the inspectors said. The force needs to make sure it complies with national guidance for the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, including meeting disclosure timescales. On the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also known as Clare's Law, which allows a member of the public to request information about a partner's past history of domestic violence from the police, Gwent scored worst of all forces in England and Wales . The force discloses less frequently to applicants than other police forces. In the year ending 30 September 2024, just 22.1 percent of DVDS Right To Know applications to Gwent Police led to disclosures. This is the lowest rate in England and Wales, the inspection report notes. In the year ending 30 September 2024, the force used arrest to help it to investigate domestic abuse or to protect victims in 34.2 percent of cases. This is lower than the England and Wales rate of 43.4 percent. In the year ending 31 March 2024, Gwent Police recorded 1,982 stalking offences, which equated to 3.3 offences per 1,000 population. Despite this, the force applied for only one interim and one full Stalking Protection Order. The report goes on to say inspectors found that the force hasn't secured any Sexual Risk Orders (SRO) - these are orders courts impose to protect the public from the risk of sexual harm by placing restrictions on a person's behaviour. "Vulnerable victims can't yet be confident that the force effectively uses protective tactics and orders to keep them safe," inspectors said, "The force needs systems which provide reassurance that it takes appropriate action to safeguard adults and children at risk of harm," inspector said. Rating management and leadership as also "requiring improvement" the report said Gwent Police force "should make sure it is effectively managing demand and has the right resources, processes and plans in place to keep communities safe." But inspectors noted: "During 2024, movement in the chief officer team meant that, at times, more than half its personnel were in temporary promotions. The chief officer team is now more stable and the force continues to develop its senior leaders." Summing up her team's findings Ms Skeer said: "Gwent Police is investing in the development and diversity of its leaders. It equips its personnel to uphold high standards of behaviour and fair treatment. Reassuringly, feedback from the workforce indicates that the force has created an ethical working environment where supervisors challenge discriminatory behaviour." "The force is outstanding at recording crime promptly and accurately, particularly crime involving sexual offences and antisocial behaviour. Gwent Police also understands its daily demand well and makes sure that its operational priorities receive focus. Gwent Police Force rankings from inspectors Outstanding 1 Crime recording Requires Improvement Crime investigation Protecting vulnerable people Leadership and management Adequate Police powers and treating the public fairly and respectfully. Preventing and deterring crime and anti social behaviour and reducing vulnerability Requires Improvement Protecting vulnerable people Responding to the public Managing offenders and suspects Building, supporting and protecting the workforce * No areas looked at were deemed to be the worst possible "inadequate" or second best "good". Cashflow This was not rated by inspectors but on spending the report also notes that for the 2024-25 financial year, Gwent Police force initially forecast£4.62m deficit but this is now £1.68 million, as the Police Settlement provided a higher level of funding than expected. But the force "will need to find further savings" to meet the forecasted financial deficit of £4.4 million in 2027/28 as per its financial plan. In the financial year ending 31 March 2024, usable reserve levels stood at £29.8 million. The force told inspectors this will decrease to £21.2 million in the year ending 31 March 2025 and is forecast to reduce further, "which isn't sustainable in the longer term". Article continues below
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gloucestershire Police found ‘inadequate' at protecting children
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police has been found 'inadequate' at safeguarding children. An inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the force was 'inadequate' at responding to children at risk, investigating reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, and in its leadership of child protection arrangements. The inspectorate also said the constabulary 'requires improvement' at assessing risk to children and making appropriate referrals. In its report, it said the constabulary has 'good arrangements' to share information and contribute to joint plans to prevent harm to children. However, the inspectorate identified 'three causes of concern' relating to the constabulary's 'leadership of child protection, how it records incidents when children are missing, and how it investigates incidents involving children'. Gloucestershire Police said these findings will be used to develop an improvement plan. They also outlined the steps they have taken to address these concerns. Some of their actions include launching the Gloucestershire Rapid Improvement Plan (GRIP), putting monthly meetings in place to scruitinise how children are safeguarded, 20 more officers working in investigation teams, and providing more training to officers and staff. They also said they will run a multi-agency child protection conference, bring in advice from the National Police Chief's Council, and have started campaigns to tackle online grooming. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone, lead for crime, justice and vulnerability, said: "Children and young people are some of the most vulnerable members of society and it's essential we do everything we can to keep them safe. "We accept HMICFRS' findings and recognise we have work to do to address the concerns identified in its report and to deliver the improvements required. "The steps we've already taken will help us ensure we've the necessary specialist skills and resources in place to protect children from harm; to respond to and investigate incidents involving them; and that appropriate leadership and oversight is maintained for all child protection matters. "The safeguarding of children in Gloucestershire is a key priority for the Constabulary and we'll continue to work with HMICFRS, as well as with our partners, to improve." His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: "It was positive to see Gloucestershire Constabulary working well with its safeguarding partners, but in other areas, I have concerns about its work to protect children. "I recognise there has been some instability in the senior team, but I have received assurances from the temporary chief constable that leaders are taking the findings very seriously, and are determined to oversee improvements. "I will closely monitor progress in Gloucestershire Constabulary over the coming months."
BBC News
23-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bullying found at Cleveland Fire Brigade during inspection
Bullying and micromanaging have been flagged during an inspection of a fire His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that progress had been made at Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB) since its last inspection in leaders encouraged feedback and challenge from all parts of the workforce but there were examples of "bullying, micromanaging and abuse of authority", its report fire service has "welcomed" the findings of the report and thanked the inspectorate service for its visit. CFB was inspected on its performance across 11 areas by HMICFRS.A report, published on Wednesday, rated the service as "requires improvement" in three areas, "good" in four and "adequate" in Michelle Skeer said: "Overall, there is a clear commitment from staff, including senior leaders, to improve."We recognise the brigade is going through significant changes, which are affecting some areas of work. "I encourage it to continue to improve in the areas we have highlighted." Work needed The report said that 16% of staff responded to a survey saying they had been subject to bullying or harassment over the last 12 did find examples of bullying at a senior manager level but most staff said they had not found any inappropriate behaviour and felt confident they would be able to challenge it if they said work was needed to improve referrals for vulnerable people to partner found examples of vulnerable people waiting for further help that never came. Ms Skeer said CFB also needed to "make sure that risk information is accurate and up to date".She added: "We were pleased to see that the brigade has made progress since our 2022 inspection. "For example, the brigade has taken steps to better monitor, review and evaluate the benefits of collaborative activity."Despite the areas of concern, the report stated the service was good at responding to major fires and understanding said it was "effectively prepared" for responding to major and multi-agency incidents, ready to respond to tall building fires and worked well with other fire and rescue services.A CFB spokesperson said it "welcomed the findings of its latest inspection" by HMICFRS. "The service wishes to thank HMICFRS for their report and all their staff who have contributed and supported the inspection process," they added. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service praised by inspectors
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has been praised by a watchdog for "making progress" since it was last inspected three years report, by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), rated the brigade as "outstanding" both for understanding and preventing service was also rated "good" in eight other categories and "adequate" in Shillito, Humberside's chief fire officer, said he was "delighted" with the report, which stood "as a testament" to the "passion, dedication and professionalism" of staff. Michelle Skeer, of HMICFRS, said it was "pleasing to see the service has made progress" since 2022 and congratulated it for "keeping people safe and secure"."The service is also working well with local health organisations to provide an on-call falls response team, helping more people live in their homes for longer, reducing demand on other services."I commend them for the changes it has made and will keep in close contact to monitor progress," she added. The report said the service had improved performance through the use of data analysis, which helped it to assess risks such as deliberate fires and tailor services Fire and Rescue was also told it was good at responding to major incidents, fires and emergencies and utilising inspectors said the service was "adequate" when it came to promoting values and culture. Some staff lacked confidence in using feedback systems, and leaders at a senior and middle level needed to be more Shillito said: "I have never been prouder of our remarkable fire and rescue service. We will continue to embrace new ideas to strengthen the trust the community places in us and overcome any challenges to ensure people's safety."While there is always room for improvement, we will build on this report's outcomes to keep our communities safe."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
06-02-2025
- BBC News
Cheshire Constabulary praised for online child abuse overhaul
A police force has won praise for an overhaul of how it investigates online child abuse after a previous review found it was failing to tackle a backlog of Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found Cheshire Constabulary had invested in more officers to work on cases since its last inspection in 2021/ force has now been graded "outstanding" by inspectors for how it protects vulnerable people and manages offenders and suspects. Chief Constable Mark Roberts said the "positive" report showed that a "great deal" had been achieved since the last inspection. In 2021/22, inspectors found three areas that required improvement from the force, including a backlog of 123 online child abuse cases awaiting also found the force wanting in how 999 calls were responded to, with other areas of policing rated good or assessed the constabulary across 2024 and found it had improved to be rated outstanding, good and adequate across all areas. They found there had been "significant" investment in hiring more skilled officers and supervisors in its online child abuse, protecting vulnerable people and sex offender management teams. His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said she was "particularly pleased" to see improvements in safeguarding vulnerable people and managing offenders as a result. But inspectors said the number of crimes solved by officers following investigations was "low", adding it did not "consistently achieve appropriate outcomes for victims".Of 64,355 victim-based crimes, just 14.3% saw offenders brought to justice, they the force has again been told to improve how 999 calls are handled, with the service currently rated adequate. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
