Staffordshire Police has been placed at Level Two under a new national performance system after inspectors highlighted continuing concerns about how the force responds to the public, attends incidents and investigates crime.
The rating does not mean the force is in special measures. Level Two allows police forces to receive enhanced support and oversight intended to prevent their performance from deteriorating.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has assigned all 43 police forces in England and Wales to one of four performance levels for the first time.
Level One is the default position where no intervention is required, while Level Four means a force is in special measures.
Staffordshire Police is among 13 forces placed at Level Two. A further 29 forces are at Level One.
Lincolnshire Police is the only force placed at Level Three, while no forces are currently at Level Four.
Under the previous monitoring system, Staffordshire Police was placed in a process known as Engage, the equivalent of Level Four, between 2022 and 2024.
That followed concerns about the quality of its investigations and the way it identified vulnerable people.
Staffordshire Police was rated inadequate for the way it responds to the public in its most recent inspection report. Three other areas were assessed as requiring improvement.
HMICFRS said that finding was a factor in the decision to place the force at Level Two, although inspectors also said it was making progress.
The report states
“The force has a number of enduring areas for improvement, particularly in relation to responding to the public, attendance at incidents and improving the quality of investigations. These areas for improvement led to the force entering Engage under our previous monitoring arrangements in 2022.
“Despite the recent cause of concern, the force is making tangible progress.”
Forces placed at Level Two may have several minor performance issues, problems that are improving but still require oversight, or concerns that could become more serious without additional support.
HMICFRS said the new system would allow concerns to be identified earlier and help forces improve before their performance deteriorates further.
The performance levels were announced as part of the Government’s Police Reform White Paper. The changes will also make police forces more accountable to the Home Secretary, who will have the power to send in experts where additional support is required.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said
“By using a range of data, evidence and insight to identify concerns earlier, the Policing Performance System will provide the correct level of support at the right time.
“This will assist forces in addressing any performance issues before they get worse and help make our communities safer.”
Staffordshire Police has been approached for comment.
1 comment
Lynne
I am not surprised as a retired Staffordshire Police officer I am so disappointed in the service that was not provided to my daughter leading to a vicious attack on her person in her home. The unwillingness to provide a basic standard of service is totally unacceptable. After 2 and half years we may finally see some justice for her