Wiltshire Police will stay in special measures due to its crime investigation performance ‘deteriorating’, the police watchdog says.
Earlier this year, the HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary moved the force into an enhanced monitoring process, known as Engage, because of concerns about its abilities.
The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) revisited Wiltshire Police last month to review the force’s progress – specifically in improving the service it provides to victims and how it investigates crime.
The inspectorate found the force had made progress in some areas, including checking whether victims are vulnerable more often, and improving how promptly it records detailed risk assessments for victims of domestic abuse.
However, the inspectorate said the force’s performance in investigating crime effectively had declined further.
It found that some investigations were not carried out in a timely manner and relevant and proportionate lines of enquiry were not always completed.
Many investigations were not properly reviewed by supervisors and victims were sometimes not updated throughout investigations.
It also found that when victims withdrew support for an investigation, the force did not always consider progressing the case without the victim’s support, which can be an important method of safeguarding the victim and preventing further offences being committed.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “Since moving Wiltshire Police into our enhanced monitoring process earlier this year, known as Engage, we have frequently and intrusively examined the force’s plans for improvement.
“As part of the Engage process, we revisited the force last month and found it had made progress in some areas. This is to be welcomed.
“However, the force has not made meaningful progress in other areas, including routinely checking for repeat victims, or giving victims crime prevention or scene preservation advice. We also found that its performance in investigating crime has deteriorated.
“As a result, Wiltshire Police remains in the Engage process while we continue to closely monitor its progress.”
The force says that “areas of positive practice were identified” and “early opportunities for arrests being taken”, adding that “improvements were also identified in how promptly we record detailed risk assessments for victims of domestic abuse”.
In a statement in response to the new findings, Wiltshire’s Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “I want our communities to feel confident that we are actively addressing the areas that have been identified by HMICFRS.
“In part this latest progress report is telling us that there are some improvements and that the work we’ve done since our PEEL inspection in the summer is making some positive change.
“It is also clear that we have not yet achieved the required improvements in all parts and the report has highlighted that in some areas performance has deteriorated, which we are working hard to address immediately.
“This remains a clear focus and priority for everyone across the Force and we remain relentless in our efforts to improve our services.”
