Constabulary’s Inspection highlights ongoing challenges alongside clear signs of progress

HMICFRS (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services) is the Independent Inspectorate that assesses the performance of police forces and fire and rescue services.

They have published their PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) report into Gloucestershire Constabulary covering the last two years.

This is a disappointing outcome for the Constabulary and Gloucestershire communities, especially given all the problems tackled, and progress made over the last few years.

The assessment reflects that Gloucestershire Constabulary is not yet performing at the required level. However, it is important to highlight the substantial improvements made over recent months and years. Yet many of the actions taken to improve the force require more time to embed before their full impact can be evidenced. The Constabulary is committed to continuous improvement, with a much-needed implementation of a new operating model planned in the next few months. While the Constabulary is not where it should be yet, many of the right steps have been taken.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, Chris Nelson said: “This report does not make pleasant reading.

“However, reassuringly, absolutely none of it is a surprise. Gloucestershire Constabulary has been struggling for some time, and an immense amount of work has been commissioned to address its performance shortcomings.

“But I fully recognise that this report is not good enough. Communities of Gloucestershire, victims of crime and their families all deserve a better service. To be rated inadequate in investigating crime, a fundamental service of a police force, is, to say the least, disappointing and reflects a weakness seen in many police forces nationally.

“A major issue is the lack of funding the force receives, particularly as it’s a small force, with limited financial resilience at the best of times. It is simply not adequately funded to prevent, investigate and solve crime.

“Police forces are dealing with rising demand and rising costs, while national funding settlements fall well short of what modern policing requires. Gloucestershire is no exception, just like many other small forces in the news recently.

“My Office has made many approaches to Government to lobby for more financial support and continues to do so.

“The cost of policing Gloucestershire has risen far faster than the funding Government makes available to us. This leaves forces like ours facing painful decisions about council tax, police visibility, investigative capability, and investment in key personnel and essential technology. We are being asked to meet increasingly complex crime with outdated systems and stretched resources, and that is not sustainable. Information Technology is a particular weakness for our force.

“In the public sector, often years go by before you see the outcomes of decisions made, and unfortunately, we are currently dealing with the repercussions of historically poor decision making by Government.

“The outcome of this report is not good enough, but I truly believe we are on the right track. I see investment being made in the right places. I see historical deficiencies being addressed. I see senior leadership empowering change. I am hopeful for the future of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

“I will continue to hold the Constabulary and Chief Constable to account on behalf of the public. Especially for those areas which are deemed inadequate. Faster improvement is non-negotiable and I will continue to demand higher performance, delivered at pace.”