Nottinghamshire Police moved into enhanced monitoring

The inspectorate identified “two accelerated causes for concern”:

• The force needs to improve how it manages, supervises and carries out effective investigations, and make sure that victims get the support they need; and
• The force does not have adequate processes, planning or governance arrangements in place to monitor performance effectively or identify areas where improvement is required.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said she recognised the “serious nature” of the HMICFRS findings and has taken “urgent action” to address the immediate concerns raised

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher 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 from the inspectorate and other external organisations in the policing sector to help the force improve and provide a better service for the public.

“Nottinghamshire 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.”

Nottinghamshire Police was inspected by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services between the end of 2023 and January 2024.

HMICFRS said more detail about Nottinghamshire Police’s performance would be included in its next inspection report, which is due to be published later this year.

Nottinghamshire Police said while awaits the full findings of the assessment, it has seen success in its performance around its rate at answering 999 and 101 calls. These rates are amongst the best in the country and the force is also within the top quartile of forces nationally for achieving positive outcomes for victims.

Ms Meynell said: “As chief constable I recognise the serious nature of the HMICFRS findings. I have taken urgent action to address the immediate concerns raised and have ensured that all of the initial recommendations that relate to our investigations and support for victims have been completed.

“I have tasked a dedicated team of detectives to carry out a thorough review of all of the crimes identified by HMICFRS. This review has found that all of these crimes are being managed by specially trained officers, with supervisors overseeing the progress we make. The review did identify that in two per cent of cases there was not an update from a supervisor recorded on our system, but this does not mean there was no investigative activity being undertaken.

“Victims of crime are at the heart of everything that we do. The team have reviewed all of the cases identified to ensure that victims of crime are receiving regular updates and that these are being correctly recorded.

“Although the frequency of updates for victims is not specified in the national Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, our target is to provide updates for victims every three weeks. We achieve this in 95 per cent of cases, but we are not complacent and will focus our efforts to improve in this area.”

She added: “I have prioritised and invested in our leadership programme for line managers and supervisors to ensure that these officers and staff receive extensive training and support to perform their roles to the highest standard.

“This programme is consistent with the standards set by the College of Policing and will ensure that our people have the skills and knowledge required to enhance our supervision of investigations and oversight of the care we provide to victims.  I have also increased the number of supervisors we have overseeing our response teams.

“In relation to our processes and managing our demand, one of my first actions as chief constable was to commission a review of how we operate, and this review has started a significant piece of work to improve our governance and operating model.

“Delivering a carefully managed change to the operating model involves a significant period of time to deliver whilst continuing to respond to the communities we serve.  During this time the force has also been working hard to reach and maintain our uplift in officer numbers.

“I have overseen changes to help us meet our demand and ensure that we provide the best possible service to communities. These include some operational changes to make sure our officers are in the right places, at the right time, and a new process for how we safeguard victims of domestic abuse. However, we do need to improve further in this area and we are working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing on this.

“I fully acknowledge that our force has work to do to achieve our vision of being an outstanding force that we can all be proud of. I am fully committed to working with HMICFRS and we will work tirelessly to address their concerns and deliver the best possible service for the people of Nottinghamshire.”

Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) Caroline Henry said she was “obviously disappointed that Nottinghamshire Police is being placed under enhanced monitoring”.

“However, I welcome the opportunity this process will provide the force to focus on the areas of concern and continue their immediate actions to put things right,” she said.

“As PCC, it is my duty to hold Nottinghamshire Police to account on behalf of the public and ensure we have the best policing service possible.

“HMICFRS performs an important and independent assessment role and this robust enhanced monitoring process will support our broader arrangements to ensure continuous improvement in the policing service that the people of Nottinghamshire should expect.

“The effective supervision of investigations and ensuring the right support for victims are both vitally important to providing an effective policing service.”

Ms Henry added: “Since HMICFRS raised their concerns with me, I have held urgent discussions with the chief constable and her team. I have sought assurances about the action being taken and the plans the chief constable has for improvements.

“I was assured to learn that the force had already taken immediate action. This should provide Nottinghamshire’s communities with confidence that the force takes these concerns very seriously and is committed to making swift improvements.

“I am determined to support and oversee the force’s progress with addressing all HMICFRS’ recommendations and have asked for weekly updates from the chief constable. I am confident Nottinghamshire Police will emerge a much stronger organisation as a result of the ‘engage’ process.”