Devon and Cornwall Police removed from enhanced monitoring
Devon and Cornwall Police has been removed from an enhanced level of monitoring by the police inspectorate after making “significant improvements”.
In a letter from HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke to Chief Constable James Vaughan and police and crime commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez, he acknowledged that the force continues to make good progress and is reassured by the plans it has in place to continue making improvements.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) moved Devon and Cornwall Police into ‘Engage’ on October 14, 2022, after it identified three key areas where the force needed to make “clear and sustained improvements” – the management of violent and sexual offenders (MOSOVO); its ability to answer emergency and non-emergency calls and how crime is recorded. Another area – investigating crime – was added as a cause of concern in HMICFRS’s 2024 inspection.
The force was formally discharged from concerns regarding the management of MOSOVO in January 2023, ensuring that sex offenders are managed effectively and in line with national guidance. The inspectorate also discharged the force from concerns around contact (answering of emergency and non-emergency calls) in September 2024 and acknowledges that it has continued to improve its year-to-date 101 abandonment rate.
On Wednesday (July 30), HMICFRS discharged Devon and Cornwall Police from the enhanced monitoring phase because of the improvements it has made, however, crime recording and investigation standards remain a cause for concern, and the inspectorate will continue to assess the force’s progress against these areas.
HMICFRS said the force needs to demonstrate “further improvements” before the remaining two causes of concern on crime recording standards and the quality of investigations can be closed.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary said he was “pleased with the good progress that Devon and Cornwall Police has made so far”.
Sir Andy said: “While there is still work to do, I have recommended removing the service from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.
“We have noted improvement in how force performance is understood and overseen. The force has continued to address the two remaining causes of concern through the work it has undertaken to address its crime recording standards and the quality of its investigations. But it needs to demonstrate further improvements before we can close these causes of concern. We will continue to assess its progress to make sure the people of Devon and Cornwall are getting the service they deserve.”
Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “I am pleased that HMICFRS has removed the force from its enhanced phase of monitoring and has recognised the significant improvements the force has made. This is testament to the hard work of officers and staff right across the force who have worked together to deliver a sustainably improved service for our communities.
“Getting to this point has not been easy. The concerns raised by HMICFRS were serious and rightly deserved immediate and sustained actions.
“We will not be complacent, and we recognise that we still have work to do in crime recording and our investigation standards to ensure that more offenders are brought to justice and victims receive the service they rightly deserve.”
He said HMICFRS recognised the significant improvements the force has made in crime recording, and found that officers understood the principles of crime recording better, which has helped improve the service they give to victims. For investigation standards, the inspectorate has acknowledged the increased number of investigation plans and supervisory reviews.
The inspectorate also recognised the introduction of new tools to help improve the service the force offers to victims and the introduction of an Investigation Academy to help further develop the skills of investigators.
Ms Hernandez, the PCC for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “This is good news, and a recognition of the hard work and commitment made by police officers and staff under the strong and experienced leadership of Chief Constable James Vaughan.
“This does not mean the force can afford to be complacent and I look forward to working with Devon and Cornwall Police over the coming months and years to continue to drive improvements.”