‘Good’ use of problem solving to prevent crime highlighted by HMICFRS

However, inspectors said the force needs to improve the speed with which it answers calls from the public with a “high number” being abandoned.

This could “negatively affect its ability to reduce crime”, said HMICFRS.

The latest HMICFRS PEEL inspection graded Cheshire Constabulary as ‘good’ at preventing crime, its treatment of the public and developing a positive workplace.

The force was graded ‘adequate’ at investigating crime, protecting vulnerable people, making good use of resources and recording data about crime.

However, the report said Cheshire Constabulary ‘requires improvement’ at responding to the public and managing offenders.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said: “I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of Cheshire Constabulary in keeping people safe and reducing crime. I am satisfied with most other aspects of the constabulary’s performance, but there are areas where it needs to improve.

“Not all emergency calls are answered within the nationally recognised target. A high number of calls are also abandoned by the public when contacting the constabulary using 101. This needs to improve so that people receive the help they need promptly.”

Mr Parr said management of some registered sex offenders (RSOs) as well as intelligence in cases of online indecent images of children, also needs to improve

“Some RSOs classed as low risk have less contact with police than other high-risk offenders,” said Mr Parr.

“We found poor practice in reviewing these cases to understand changes in the risk that offenders pose. Where there are backlogs in cases about indecent images of children, it is vital that intelligence surrounding those cases is refreshed. This wasn’t happening.

“The constabulary has listened to our concerns and is now seeking to improve its practice. It is early days, and I will continue to monitor this work.”

However, Mr Parr said Cheshire Constabulary uses problem solving well to tackle neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour

“Beat managers use problem solving well to address crime and anti-social behaviour, and protect vulnerable people,” he said.

“The constabulary also works actively with other relevant organisations, and this helps it intervene in local concerns early and prevent crime.

“The force values neighbourhood policing, and it is investing in its workforce by offering them an accredited neighbourhood management qualification. This is positive and will support the continuous improvement of neighbourhood policing.”

Mr Parr said the constabulary has shown itself to be an inclusive workplace and works hard to reflect its communities

“Cheshire Constabulary has achieved national recognition for its inclusive workplace,” he said.

“It offers a range of support where it is needed. It is also seeking to attract a more diverse workforce. Numbers of officers from ethnic minority backgrounds are increasing, which is good news as the workforce will better reflect the communities in Cheshire in the future.”

Mr Parr added: “There has been significant change in senior leaders over the past year. I have confidence that over the next 12 months the constabulary will continue to improve and consolidate its performance. I will watch progress with interest.”

Other factors identified by inspectors that contribute to the constabulary’s ability to reduce crime were:

• Prioritising beat policing with recognised beat managers and police community support officers to engage well with communities;
• Use of perceptual deterrence techniques to reduce and deflect offending behaviour;
• The “nationally recognised” harm reduction unit, which works with repeat stalking and harassment offenders to change behaviour, support victims, and assist officers with investigations and court orders; and
• Integrated offender management, working with partners and offender cohorts to reduce reoffending.

“I am pleased that the constabulary is addressing the right areas of policing to reduce crime,” said Mr Parr.

However, he said there were some areas that “may negatively affect its ability to reduce crime”:

• The call abandonment rate and call answering rates, which may result in people disengaging or not reporting information to the police that would help prevent and detect crime;
• The significant reduction in the timeliness of crime recording, which could lead to victims of crime not receiving the service they need;
• Not complying with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, which could lead to victims withdrawing support for investigations and reduce confidence in the police; and
• Not always conducting robust and effective reviews, or providing appropriate supervisor direction, for the effective management of all RSOs, which may mean further offences are not detected and victims are not protected well.