Thames Valley Police 'welcome' inspectorate report
The force has been graded over eight areas of its work
Thames Valley Police has made improvements in how it responds to the public and prevents crime, but more work is needed in safeguarding vulnerable people and crime investigations, the police inspectorate has said.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded Thames Valley Police’s performance across eight areas of policing and found the force was good in two areas, adequate in three areas and requires improvement in three areas.
HMICFRS found the force is effective at addressing the welfare of its workforce, with officers and staff feeling supported by their immediate supervisors and having access to a range of occupational health services.
The inspectorate also found neighbourhood policing teams identified and addressed community problems to prevent crime, tackle antisocial behaviour and reduce vulnerability well. This was despite significant resource and financial demands from high-profile state visits to Windsor Castle, with the force’s processes aiming to reduce the need to abstract neighbourhood officers from their wards.
HMICFRS said the force has invested in its control room and improved how quickly it answers emergency calls. However, it needs to improve its response to non-emergency calls, especially those relating to domestic abuse. The inspectorate found that while the way the force protects vulnerable people has improved since the last inspection, there is still more work to do. For example, it needs to improve its processes for identifying and safeguarding high-risk victims of domestic abuse and improve its referral process to schools for children witnessing domestic abuse.
The inspectorate also found the force needs to improve its ability to progress crime investigations. The force should make sure it properly allocates, plans and supervises investigations, with crime investigations assigned to suitably qualified investigators.
Concerns
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM said:
“I am satisfied with some aspects of the performance of Thames Valley Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime. It has made improvements since our last inspection in how it responds to the public and prevents crime.
“Despite significant resource demands from high-profile state visits to Windsor Castle, neighbourhood policing teams prevent crime and tackle antisocial behaviour well, and the force is effective at addressing the welfare of its workforce.
“However, I have concerns about how it is investigating crime and supporting vulnerable people. For example, the force should improve its safeguarding processes and its ability to progress crime investigations to make sure victims get the service they deserve.
“There are still areas in which Thames Valley Police must do better, and we will continue to monitor its progress. We have seen progress and I am optimistic that the force will build on the significant improvements seen in some areas during this inspection.”
Welcome
Thames Valley Police Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said:
“We welcome this report and the clear, independent assessment it provides. Scrutiny of this kind plays an important part in helping us stay focused on delivering the high standards the public expects.
“I am very encouraged to see recognition of our strong neighbourhood policing and prevention work, which is the cornerstone of effective policing. Equally, that the commitment which our officers, staff and volunteers show every day in protecting our communities through their dedicated service underpins everything we do.
“At the same time, we are clear that there is more to do. We are focused on strengthening the quality and consistency of our investigations, enhancing how we identify and safeguard vulnerable people and building on the progress we have already made in our service delivery.
“We are already taking action to develop our investigative capability, invest in our people and ensure we are making the most effective use of our resources to meet demand.
“Our priorities and focus remain unchanged: to fight crime, serve victims, build community trust and value our people. We are determined to build on the progress highlighted in this report and continue to be an excellent police force, trusted by the communities we are privileged to serve.”