Publication of HMIC Report 'Valuing the Police' – July 2013

 

JOINT PRESS RELEASE (OPCC & Force)

Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed the publication of a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) which examines the Force’s response to the funding challenges faced by police forces across the country.

In October 2010, the Government announced that central funding to the Police Service in England and Wales would reduce by 20% in the four years between March 2011 and March 2015. HMIC’s ‘Valuing the Police’ programme has tracked how those Forces are planning to make savings to meet this budget demand and as a result have undertaken a programme of inspections/assessments within each police force.

Leicestershire was one of the first Forces to be visited as part of the programme in April 2013, and at that time was actively developing its savings programme. In the intervening three months, since the inspection and the subsequent publication of this report, the plans have advanced significantly.

Sir Clive Loader, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire, said:

“It is important to note that the Force is already half way through its savings programme, having already achieved savings of £23m. This has been achieved whilst seeing a 17% reduction in crime and since 2008/09 a 49% reduction in reported anti-social behaviour incidents. Public confidence in Leicestershire Police places the Force 6th nationally and 1st within our most similar force group. In addition, the satisfaction of victims of crime stands at 85%, which is above the national average.

“I have also been impressed by the experienced team of officers and staff who have been working to finalise the plans required to enable Leicestershire Police to achieve the savings, whilst also delivering the Police and Crime Plan, and I am extremely confident that the Force is in a very good position to achieve delivery of the remaining savings plan within the timeframe required. The team has worked closely with my office and I am very supportive of the proposals and approach being taken.”

As part of the HMIC Inspection programme, public consultation and surveying was undertaken in each police area. During the survey, the public were asked about the visibility of police officers. Nationally, 13% said that they had seen more police officers in their local area. However, Leicestershire Police was rated above the national average at 21%.

Acting Deputy Chief Constable Steph Morgan said:

“It was not easy to achieve the first round of savings. However, they have been delivered whilst maintaining and in some cases, improving our performance and this is testament to the hard work of Leicestershire’s officers and staff.

“Whilst we know we have some challenging times ahead, the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland should be highly confident that the Force will achieve its required savings targets, whilst endeavouring to continue to provide the standard of service which the public should quite rightly expect.

Sir Clive Loader added:

“We welcome HMIC’s independent scrutiny and look forward to their return visit in the autumn, when the completed savings plans will be shared with them.”

Read the Leicestershire report here.

 

Posted on Monday 9th May 2016
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