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Dyfed-Powys PEEL 2014

Effectiveness

How well the force tackles crime

Last updated 12/11/2014
Ungraded

Dyfed-Powys Police is good at reducing crime and preventing offending. The force is good at investigating offending. It is good at tackling anti-social behaviour.

HMIC found that Dyfed-Powys Police works effectively to cut crime. Crime levels in the area are below those across England and Wales as a whole, and they have fallen at a similar rate to the national picture over the last four years. However, the anti-social behaviour rate is higher in Dyfed-Powys than England and Wales as a whole.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a clear priority and there is a commitment at all levels of the force to understanding local concerns and tackling anti-social behaviour. The force works well with local partners to cut crime and anti-social behaviour, and to provide support to victims.

Further insights on effectiveness

The domestic abuse inspection found that the public could have confidence that Dyfed-Powys was committed to providing a good response and taking robust action with regard to perpetrators. However, the inspection found that there were a number of different routes through which a domestic abuse incident may be dealt with by the police, which caused confusion and resulted in a lack of clarity as to who was responsible for managing the risk, safety planning, victim contact and supervision.

The crime inspection found that while the force had specialist assets to tackle organised crime groups, all staff understood that they have a role to play in this by submitting intelligence and working with partners to protect the community.

Questions for Effectiveness

1

How effective is the force at reducing crime and preventing offending?

Good

The Dyfed-Powys force area remains one of comparatively low crime, and crime has decreased at around the same rate as for England and Wales as a whole over the last four years.

The force is improving its approach to victims and there is a commitment from the leadership to provide a victim-centred service. The force is taking steps to understand better the causes of victim dissatisfaction and, despite financial cuts, it is still committed to sending an officer to attend every crime.

Dyfed-Powys has good working relationships with partners to prevent crime and reduce offending, and it has plans to develop these further.

 

2

How effective is the force at investigating offending?

Good

Dyfed-Powys Police recognises the importance of providing an effective response to victims and identifying vulnerability at the first point of contact. The quality of victim contact is good for those victims assessed as high-risk, but there are some inconsistencies in the way other victims are treated.

HMIC found that investigations are generally carried out effectively and supervision is good. CID detectives in the force are professionally trained and accredited, but the training in investigations for uniformed officers is more limited.

There is some good work in dealing with the most prolific offenders through a joined-up approach with partners, tackling those offenders causing the greatest risk to the public to prevent them from reoffending.

 

3

How effective is the force at tackling anti-social behaviour?

Good

Anti-social behaviour is a clear strategic priority for Dyfed-Powys Police and well understood by staff.

There is a strong commitment at all levels in the force to understanding and tackling local concerns.

The force works well with local partners to share information and find joined-up solutions to anti-social behaviour problems.

There is a good focus on understanding and managing the risk to victims of anti-social behaviour, and ensuring that they get the service they need from the police and partners.

 

4

How effective is the force at protecting those at greatest risk of harm?

Ungraded

The domestic abuse inspection found that the public could have confidence that Dyfed-Powys Police was committed to providing a good response and taking robust action with regard to perpetrators. However, the inspection found that there were a number of different routes through which a domestic abuse incident may be dealt with by the police, which caused confusion and resulted in a lack of clarity as to who was responsible for managing the risk, safety planning, victim contact and supervision. This meant that the force could not be confident that victims were consistently receiving the service they needed.

The crime inspection found evidence that Dyfed-Powys had made good progress to improve its response to domestic abuse. Positive action was taken against offenders in a high percentage of cases, and the inspection identified that there were good standards of investigation and supervision. The inspection also reviewed Dyfed-Powys’ domestic abuse action plan and found that the force has produced a plan that outlines activity that is in line with the agreed national priorities. There is no clear direct reference to the specific HMIC recommendations for the force, although evidence within the action plan details activity being carried out that supports what is required by those recommendations.

5

How effective is the force at tackling serious, organised and complex crime?

Ungraded

The crime inspection found that while the force had specialist assets to tackle organised crime groups all staff understood that they have a role to play in this by submitting intelligence and working with partners to protect the community.

The value for money inspection found that the all-Wales counter-terrorism unit, known as WECTU, and the serious and organised crime collaboration, known as Tarian, were mature and effective arrangements.

6

How effective is the force at meeting its commitments under the Strategic Policing Requirement?

Ungraded

There was no Strategic Policing Requirement inspection for this force.