Devon and Cornwall Police placed under ‘enhanced monitoring’ by HMICFRS

The force will now face additional scrutiny under the  inspectorate’s ‘Engage’ process after it found:

• Crime recording has deteriorated since the last inspection and the force does not always record crimes against vulnerable victims, particularly violent or behavioural crimes, and anti-social behaviour;
• The force does not answer, or respond to, emergency or non-emergency calls within adequate timeframes, and too many calls are abandoned. Identification of repeat and vulnerable callers is missed, and callers are not always given the appropriate advice on preservation of evidence or crime prevention; and
• The force is unable to adequately manage registered sexual and violent offenders, which means an increasing risk of further offending may not be identified.

Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “We move police forces into our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, when a force is not responding to our concerns, or if it is not managing, mitigating or eradicating these concerns. The Engage process provides additional scrutiny and support.

“Devon and Cornwall Police has been asked to urgently produce an improvement plan and will meet regularly with our inspectors.

“We will work closely with the force to monitor its progress against these important and necessary changes.”

Devon and Cornwall Police said it will continue to make improvements to service as result of the HMICFRS inspection.

However, the force added that the inspection also highlighted “a number of strengths in the organisation”, in particular that it understood the needs and expectations of local communities with a focus on vulnerability and works effectively with partners locally.

Other areas highlighted as strengths were the force’s effective management of demand and that it treats people fairly.

T/Chief Constable Jim Colwell said: “We fully accept the findings of the HMICFRS inspection. I understand that these findings may cause concern in our communities and we are committed to delivering improvements.

“We have already commenced action in all three of these areas following the Inspectorate’s initial inspection in January”.

“Whilst there are improvements we must make; I am extremely proud that Devon and Cornwall remain the second safest counties in the country and this is testament to the hard work of all our officers, staff and volunteers.

“Protecting victims of crime remains our priority as we strive to meet our mission for world-class policing and to provide the best possible service for our communities.”

He added: “We take these findings very seriously and we will continue to work closely with HMICFRS, our key partners and our police and crime commissioner, Alison Hernandez, to embed sustainable improvements in the areas identified.

“We remain committed to delivering the excellent policing service our communities deserve.”

HMICFRS said more detail about Devon and Cornwall’s performance would be included in its next inspection report, which is due to be published early next year.