As required by legislation, Lord Willy Bach, Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has written to the Home Office and HMIC, responding to the recently published PEEL report on Police Effectiveness.
He stated: “I have read with great care the publication of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary report – PEEL: Police Effectiveness 2016 – and welcome the positive assessment made of Leicestershire Police’s approach to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour.
“The force was graded ‘good’ across a number of critical areas including dealing with serious and organised crime, working well with partner organisations, pursuing suspects who present a high risk to others and managing the risk posed by dangerous and sexual offenders. This performance is especially pleasing given the ongoing population demands on the force, restricted central funding and a greatly reduced frontline.
“However, I am disappointed the same report concludes the force “requires improvement” when it comes to its investigative capability and the protection of vulnerable people. Given the HMIC’s praise elsewhere for the force’s performance, I’m surprised to say the least that the overall grading was deemed as “requiring improvement”.
“Leicestershire Police is committed to providing the highest quality service across all areas of policing. Before the report was published, the force carried out its own review of investigative and performance processes and drew up a robust action plan to address them. I meet regularly with the Chief Constable and am reassured that the perceived shortcomings are being addressed.
“There are many reasons for the public of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be proud of their local force. The report praises its commitment to local, neighbourhood policing and says that the force understands its local communities very well – priorities which are highly valued by local people.
“Leicestershire Police has a dedicated and hardworking workforce who will continue to do their best for the public of Leicestershire and respond appropriately to the issues identified to ensure the force improves its overall grading accordingly.”
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Click here to read the full report and response
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Posted on Tuesday 2nd May 2017