Hertfordshire PEEL 2015

Hertfordshire Constabulary uses its resources well to meet the demands on its services. It understands well the most pressing risks to its services and prioritises how it uses resources. It has recently improved its understanding of demand for local policing following a review to help decide on the new operating model options, as well as recent work to analyse calls for service into the constabulary control room as part of the tri-force collaboration development.

The constabulary responds well to changes in demand for its services. Its operating model provides both a flexible approach to local policing across the county and is also integrated with local community safety partnerships to enable joined-up working with local partner organisations.

Hertfordshire is reviewing this model to achieve more efficiencies at the same time as maintaining good services to the public.

Performance is managed well and the victim satisfaction rate with police services in Hertfordshire is above the rate for England and Wales. The constabulary also works constructively to expand the range of activities that it provides in collaboration with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire constabularies, not only to save money but also provide greater resilience and improved services. The collaboration programme has enabled new ways of working through information technology, improving efficiency and transforming the way services are provided to the public.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has a well-developed programme in place to match the workforce to the demand for services across Hertfordshire while also allowing the budget cuts needed. It acted quickly to reorganise policing in 2010 making it more affordable, moving to a single local policing command serving the whole of the county, which enabled more flexible use of resources.

It reduced spending on local policing much earlier than other forces. It has worked hard to protect frontline policing from cuts and has seen below average reductions in police officer numbers. The collaboration with other regional police forces, and particularly the joint working with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, has increased efficiency.

The constabulary is developing options for a new police operating model. This work is progressing well, underpinned by good analysis of the demands on local policing. The constabulary has a clear understanding of what future budget cuts will mean to the reduction in workforce numbers. The anticipated reductions in workforce by 2018 are modest in comparison to the average for England and Wales.

The constabulary’s strong financial position enables it to increase the number of police officers by recruiting ahead of schedule so that it can ensure recruits are fully trained and the workforce has the right mix of skilled officers needed for the future.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has a strong track record of rigorous and effective financial management. It has made outstanding efforts to manage and minimise the impact of the budget cuts on policing and place itself in a sustainable financial position. It has achieved its savings each year and has balanced the budget throughout the spending review and for 2015/16, reducing its spending by more than it needed to.

The constabulary works constructively with the police and crime commissioner and resources are directed to priorities in the police and crime plan. The force’s strong financial position means that it can use its financial reserves to invest in change and improvement, for example by increasing the number of police officers and investing in new technology and training to ensure the workforce is efficient and has the right skills to meet future needs.

The constabulary made savings through collaboration and also at reducing spending in non-pay areas, limiting the impact of budget cuts overall and protecting frontline services.

The collaboration with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire is a pivotal element in the future savings beyond 2015/16, and there remains some uncertainty and risk around the delivery of these savings. However, Hertfordshire Constabulary is aware of the risks and has developed contingency plans.