Cheshire crime stats “inadequate”

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) has released a detailed report today (June 15) which highlights its findings about Cheshire Constabulary’s crime recording processes.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the Constabulary has been graded ‘inadequate’, but the report recognised the progress already made in implementing HMIC’s recommendations since the last inspection, which includes the work undertaken to improve the knowledge and understanding of staff around crime recording.”

“The grading is based on a sample of incidents between June and November last year. This showed that over 8 out of 10 (83%) of crimes reported were recorded accurately. Others were either not accurately recorded or fully negated. The inspectors estimated that up to 11,600 crimes were not being recorded properly.”

“Since receiving the report every case highlighted has been thoroughly reviewed and the Constabulary has acted quickly to ensure that the appropriate support and safeguarding measures were in place for victims.”

“Indeed, the report highlighted a well-established victim support service, ‘Cheshire Cares’, who provide victims of crime access to an excellent follow-up support service at a critical time in their lives.”

HMIC was impressed with the processes introduced for out of court disposals – those less serious crimes that can be dealt with without the need to go through the court process – including the use of independent scrutiny panels who review decisions, thus increasing transparency to the public.

Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick said: “We accept the findings in the report. Progress has been made but we recognise that, like many other Forces, we have more to do.

“We have already made changes in our crime-recording approach and historically also made significant financial investment in staffing in this arena. The safeguarding of victims is always put at the heart of Cheshire’s crime recording process, and considered throughout any subsequent investigation. All cases where HMIC inspectors highlighted some issues have been fully reviewed to ensure appropriate support has been put in place.

“While we agree that there have been some crime recording errors, this does not mean we are failing victims, nor does the report call into question the integrity of officers and staff. The report recognises our good leadership in respect of crime recording and in-roads have been made already in addressing the recommendations in the report. The Constabulary will continue to look at how we do things to ensure the public receive the best possible service. But we do have some hard choices to make in this financial climate to fully remedy all of the recommendations.

“The Force has been previously praised as a ‘caring’ organisation by HMIC. We are, and always will be, fundamentally victim focused, and we will ensure that the public are confident we are providing the best service possible to victims of crime.”

Editor: I have personal experience of Cheshire Police’s failings – see:

When did our laws stop protecting us?