Bedfordshire Police claims to be ‘the most improved force in the country’

Bedfordshire Police was found to ‘require improvement’ in this week’s Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) PEEL report after being graded ‘inadequate’ last year.

The force was recognised as performing better across all four areas it was assessed on, with three receiving higher grades than the previous year.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher claims his force is “the most improved force in the country” despite the limited resources it is working with.

Mr Boutcher said: “It is incredibly pleasing to be recognised as the most improved force in the country and the comments from HMICFRS reflect the ‘solid progress’ we have made in a number of areas across the force.

“Bedfordshire Police is a force which is improving all the time and I’m particularly pleased that HMICFRS has recognised the work we have done around vulnerability, tackling anti-social behaviour and reducing reoffending.

“Crime is always changing and we will always look for ways to improve and react to new challenges.”

Last year’s PEEL effectiveness review found Bedfordshire Police was the only force in England and Wales that was ‘inadequate’ overall, with similar results for preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people.

The force was graded as requiring improvement in tackling serious and organised crime, and investigating and reducing reoffending.

The most recent report, published on Thursday (March 22), found Bedfordshire Police has improved so that it now requires improvement in prevention and protecting the vulnerable, and is ‘good’ at tackling major offending.

Its grade for investigating crime and reducing reoffending remains unchanged.

HMICFRS said it is “pleased to see” efforts have been made to ensure its improvements have been consistent across the force. However, HMICFRS said that it does not rank forces by improvement.

In particular, it said Bedfordshire Police has gained a better understanding of organised crime threats and is working well with partner agencies to dismantle gangs.

Crimes are being investigated to a good standard and inspectors highlighted its effective work to reduce reoffending.

The force has also improved its understanding of what matters to local communities.

However, HMICFRS warned there is still room for improvement in the force’s ability to prevent serious and organised crime and the timeliness of its initial response to victims.

It added that officers and staff are struggling to deal with “unacceptably high” workloads.

This year’s inspection was conducted by HMI Matt Parr, after Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner Kathryn Holloway lodged a complaint about how HMI Zoë Billingham was reviewing the force.

Ms Holloway said: “Naturally I am delighted that our new HMI, Matt Parr, has confirmed to the force that he sees Bedfordshire Police as having made the greatest improvement when it comes to effectiveness, following last year’s report.

“It reflects the hard work and commitment of officers and staff, particularly in relation to the force’s response to those children who are looked after by local authorities but who frequently abscond.

“I feel it also much more accurately reflects an appreciation of Bedfordshire Police’s outstanding efforts in the area of community engagement which were exemplified by the Community Cohesion Thank You Dinner in February, attended by around 450 members of our communities, regardless of faith, age, culture and area.”