Force needs to 'improve standard of investigations'

Devon and Cornwall Police has been told it will receive "enhanced support" following an assessment by the policing inspectorate.

The inspectorate said there were two issues with the force - a failure to safeguard adults and children at risk of harm and a lack of improvement in the standard of investigations.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has introduced a new four-tier policing performance system and evaluated Devon and Cornwall Police (DCP) as level two.

The new performance levels range from one, the default level, to four, classed as special measures for the most significant performance issues.

The inspectorate said the new rating system was part of a drive to support improvements across policing and increase public confidence and accountability.

Announced in the Police Reform White Paper, the system will also see forces made accountable to the Home Secretary for performance, with ministers and the inspectorate having new powers to intervene directly in failing forces.

Forces have also been set targets on neighbourhood policing levels, 999 response times and incident response times.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: "For too long, failings in policing have been identified too late, allowing poor performance to go unchecked.

"Our new system will catch problems earlier, ensuring forces are challenged, supported and held accountable for improving."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Alison Hernandez said she was pleased the new inspection system recognised "the continuing improvements being made" by the force.

She added: "Make no mistake, Devon and Cornwall Police need to reach level one, that is the standard the public deserves and expects, but I am confident that Chief Constable James Vaughan is being well supported and leading the force in a very positive direction."

Devon and Cornwall Police has been approached for comment.

The new policing performance system has four categories:

• Level one – default position for all forces. No action or intervention is required from the performance system at this time.

• Level two – enhanced support will be available to prevent any deterioration in performance. This would apply where a force has some low-level, non-systemic issues, issues which are getting better but require oversight, or multiple minor issues.

• Level three – targeted support and intervention will be provided and chief constables will develop improvement plans. This would apply where a force has a single, critical and lasting issue, widespread or systemic performance concerns, or if it fails to demonstrate meaningful improvements.

• Level four (Special Measures) – forces will be subject to special measures where force performance failings are very serious and there is insufficient evidence or confidence that the steps being taken to address them are having the required effect.

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