Cheshire Police crime recording processes graded inadequate

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CHESHIRE Police’s crime recording processes have been graded “inadequate” in a detailed report issued by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).

As a result Police & Crime Commissioner David Keane has decided to convene an extra-ordinary Scrutiny Board meeting in public on July 3 at Clemonds Hey. This meeting will provide the opportunity for him to scrutinise the Chief Constable’s response to HMIC’s findings and explore the issues that it raises in detail.

Although the report shows 8-10 crimes were reported accurately (83 per cent) an estimated 11,600 crimes were not recorded properly. The report forms part of a rolling programme to review all forces.

While Cheshire police say they are “disappointed” that the Constabulary has been graded ‘inadequate’, they say the report recognises the progress already made in implementing HMIC’s recommendations since the last inspection, which includes the work undertaken to improve the knowledge and understanding of staff around crime recording.

The grading is based on a sample of incidents between June and November last year. This showed that over 8 out of 10 (83%) of crimes reported were recorded accurately. Others were either not accurately recorded or fully negated.

Since receiving the report every case highlighted has been thoroughly reviewed and the Constabulary has acted quickly to ensure that the appropriate support and safeguarding measures were in place for victims.

Indeed, the report highlighted a well-established victim support service, ‘Cheshire Cares’, who provide victims of crime access to an excellent follow-up support service at a critical time in their lives.

HMIC was impressed with the processes introduced for out of court disposals – those less serious crimes that can be dealt with without the need to go through the court process – including the use of independent scrutiny panels who review decisions, thus increasing transparency to the public.

Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick said: “We accept the findings in the report. Progress has been made but we recognise that, like many other Forces, we have more to do.

“We have already made changes in our crime-recording approach and historically also made significant financial investment in staffing in this arena. The safeguarding of victims is always put at the heart of Cheshire’s crime recording process, and considered throughout any subsequent investigation. All cases where HMIC inspectors highlighted some issues have been fully reviewed to ensure appropriate support has been put in place.

“While we agree that there have been some crime recording errors, this does not mean we are failing victims, nor does the report call into question the integrity of officers and staff. The report recognises our good leadership in respect of crime recording and in-roads have been made already in addressing the recommendations in the report. The Constabulary will continue to look at how we do things to ensure the public receive the best possible service. But we do have some hard choices to make in this financial climate to fully remedy all of the recommendations.

“The Force has been previously praised as a ‘caring’ organisation by HMIC. We are, and always will be, fundamentally victim focused, and we will ensure that the public are confident we are providing the best service possible to victims of crime.”

Police & Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “In February 2017 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) undertook a Crime Data Integrity Inspection of Cheshire Constabulary. As part of this inspection HMIC examined crime reports for the period 1 June 2016 to 30 November 2016. HMIC have published the findings of this inspection today (15 June 2017).

“Following the Constabulary receiving the publication findings from HMIC, I have received briefings from the Chief Constable on the report. Whilst the report does conclude the majority of officers and staff are placing the needs of the victim at the heart of their crime-recording decisions, HMIC’s findings raise a number of significant concerns regarding crime recording by the Constabulary. I am certain that residents across the county will share my keenness to fully understand the issues, explore the actions taken to remedy any deficiencies and the progress which has been made against areas for improvement.

“As such I have made the decision to convene an extra-ordinary Scrutiny Board on 3 July 2017 at Clemonds Hey. This meeting will provide the opportunity for me to scrutinise the Chief Constable’s response to HMIC’s findings and explore the issues that it raises in detail. The meeting will be held in public and I would encourage residents to attend if they wish to. Details for the meeting will appear on my website shortly.”

David Keane

 


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