Page 21 - Federation Magazine: April/May 2018

Force in numbers

vulnerable people in our communities.” “By contrast, the Force is good at awareness of a crisis in detective policing.
The report, conducted by HM Inspector tackling serious and organised crime and The Police Federation’s national chair
of Constabulary Wendy Williams, stated has made major improvements in this area Calum Macleod says the report shows
there were ‘serious failings’ in its ability to since 2016. policing is reaching ‘breaking point’.
protect vulnerable people from harm. “The Force has greatly improved its “The Government’s own inspector has
It added that while many of the services understanding of organised crime threats, said that some parts of the police service in
provided by the Force to vulnerable people including urban street gangs, and it works the country are so stretched that people
were good, the inspection found that it is well with partners to develop this may be put in danger,” he said.
failing to protect some victims adequately. understanding.” “If this is not a wake-up call I don’t know
The report pointed out that staff are The effectiveness assessment follows on what is. We cannot allow this situation to
generally good at identifying vulnerable from reports on efficiency and legitimacy in deteriorate to such an extent where people
people when they first contact the police, 2017, which together make up the three are routinely put a risk. That is unthinkable
but there were often not enough officers pillars of the annual PEEL assessment. – but shockingly it seems – not unrealistic.”
available to respond to incidents quickly Away from the West Midlands, most He added: “This independent report
when required. forces maintained a good standard of paints a desperate picture. It makes difficult
That meant victims – including some service to the public but it was also noted reading for all and I hope the Prime Minister
who are vulnerable – do not always receive that cracks were beginning to show. and Home Secretary will take action as soon
the response they need, and could be put in Speaking about the national picture, HM as possible to ensure that the cracks don’t
danger as a result. Inspector of Constabulary Zoe Billingham lead to irreparable breakages to this most
Ms Williams said: “West Midlands Police said policing is ‘under significant stress’, vital public service.”
requires improvement in how effectively it explaining: “On occasion that stress Two of the 43 police forces were found
keeps people safe and reduces crime. stretches some forces to such an extent that to be ‘outstanding’ at crime prevention and
Although it has made progress in some they risk being unable to keep people safe in four ‘outstanding’ in the way they tackle
areas since 2016, we found serious failings some very important areas of policing.” serious and organised crime. Only one force,
in its ability to protect vulnerable people About a quarter of forces are often Durham, was found to be ‘outstanding’
from harm. overwhelmed by the demand they face, overall, with 30 forces being judged as
“Following our inspection, the Force leading to backlogs of emergency jobs, she ‘good’. No forces were found to be
immediately took steps to address these said. HMICFRS also pointed to a shortfall of ‘inadequate’ overall.
concerns and services have improved as a 5,000 investigators, echoing the Police You can read the full West Midlands
result. Federation’s new campaign to raise report at https://tinyurl.com/y7y9hks5

www.westmidspolfed.com federation April/May 2018 21