Lancashire Constabulary demonstrates “significantly improved” crime recording arrangements
The way that Lancashire Constabulary records crime has shown a marked improvement since 2017, according to a report released today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
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Lancashire Constabulary: Crime Data Integrity re-inspection 2019
In a 2017 inspection, HMICFRS identified several problems with the force’s crime recording practices. The Inspectorate was particularly concerned by the number of crimes not being recorded at first opportunity, as well as a general lack of training and supervision. The Inspectorate determined that the force was failing to record over 20,000 reported crimes each year.
HMICFRS carried out a reinspection of Lancashire Constabulary earlier this year. The Inspectorate found that the force has made improvements in all areas of its crime recording practices, with the result that it now successfully records over 93 per cent of all crimes reported to it. This represents a 9 percentage point increase over the 2017 findings, with over 15,000 additional crimes being recorded as a result of this improvement.
Specific areas of improvement include:
- establishing an incident management unit to quality assure crime recording decisions;
- setting up crime management units to allocate crimes and authorise cancellations;
- introducing new call-handling quality assurance processes; and
- implementing a new data management system.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Phil Gormley said:
“I am very pleased to see just how much Lancashire Constabulary has improved. In our last inspection we graded the force as ‘inadequate’. Therefore it is very encouraging to see the rate and pace of improvement in a relatively short amount of time.
“Whilst there is still work to do to ensure that all crimes are accurately recorded, our inspection revealed that the force has put in place a range of improvements at all levels. It has successfully applied all the recommendations contained in our 2017 report, as well as implementing its own initiatives and measures.
“These achievements have been spearheaded by the chief officer leadership. Last year, the force appointed a temporary assistant chief constable to lead a programme to improve how crime is recorded. Additionally, the deputy chief constable launched the ‘Record for Victims’ campaign, which aims to make sure the needs of victims are at the forefront of the crime-recording decisions taken by officers and staff. We also saw a notable improvement in crime cancellation decisions made by the force’s designated decision managers.
“All officers and staff should feel proud of these achievements, which ultimately mean a better service for victims of crime in Lancashire.”
HMICFRS will continue to inspect crime recording practices in Lancashire Constabulary at regular intervals.
Get the report
Lancashire Constabulary: Crime Data Integrity re-inspection 2019
Notes to editors
- HMICFRS is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing and fire and rescue services in the public interest. It assesses and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and fire and rescue services.
- HMICFRS inspects all 43 police forces in England and Wales together with other major policing and law enforcement bodies. It also inspects all 45 fire and rescue services in England.
- Further information on how Lancashire Constabulary is performing can be found on the HMICFRS online assessment tool.
- For further information, HMICFRS’s press office can be contacted during office hours from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday on 020 3513 0600.
- HMICFRS’s out-of-hours press office line for urgent media enquiries is 07836 217729.