Vulnerable people in Lincolnshire are being let down by the county’s police force according to a new report.
The Police Effectiveness document from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police has found Lincolnshire Police to be “good” in two areas, while two others “require improvement”.
It found the force to be “good” at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour and tackling serious and organised crime, but requiring improvement at investigating crime and managing offenders and protecting from harm those who are vulnerable or supporting victims.
Deputy Deputy Chief Constable Heather Roach says she welcomes the “good” assessments by HMIC and will be ensuring the areas where they have said the force, “requires improvement”, are addressed and acted upon, with the criticism of the way the force investigates and safeguards missing and absent children being specifically addressed.
She said: “We are currently reorganising some of our resources to respond to emerging threats and areas including child sexual exploitation, missing persons investigations and domestic abuse.
“These changes will improve our performance in these areas,” she said.
Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick said he is pleased that HMIC recognise that Lincolnshire is good at preventing crime and Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) and keeping people safe.
He said: “Crime and ASB have consistently fallen in Lincolnshire and crime rates are below the national average.
“Lincolnshire remains one of the safest places to live in the country.
“It is pleasing they see the value our local officers and Police and Community Support Officers bring day in day out to our communities.
“Both the Chief Constable and I have a clear and unwavering commitment to the value of neighbourhood policing.”
Mr Hardwick says that the new policing model for Lincolnshire will ensure neighbourhood policing resources are ring-fenced and not taken away to undertake other duties.
Mr Hardwick added: “Much is therefore being done to keep people safe and reduce crime and crime data supports that.
“I am pleased HMIC recognises the commitment we have made to restorative justice and community resolutions and that overall outcomes compare well to the national picture.”
But Mr Hardwick said he is very clear that Lincolnshire Police need to do more to robustly investigate crimes, then apprehend and bring to justice those who commit crime and said he was “disappointed” that HMIC say the Force’s approach to protecting the vulnerable is deemed to ‘require improvement’.
He said: “The conclusions about missing or absent children are particularly concerning, although I am pleased to note HMIC say Lincolnshire Police has made a good start in tackling Child Sexual Exploitation.
“I know every officer at Lincolnshire sees this as an intrinsic part of their job.
“However as with any inspection report I have asked the Force to set out for me their response to HMIC’s findings and what they are doing to address deficiencies.”
