WEST MIDLANDS Police has for a second year been rated ‘inadequate’ on how it records crime – with many serious incidents reported by the public going unrecorded.
Shockingly, they include violent crimes and domestic violence, and the force was found to be failing in even ‘basic’ record-keeping.
A report published today (January 15) by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) gave the rating despite the force’s plans to improve after getting the same ‘inadequate’ rating last year.
The inspectorate cites training, supervision and auditing processes as some of the reasons behind the force’s low crime recording rates.
Inspectors commented they were confident West Midlands Police has plans in place which should lead to sustainable improvements.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “I found little evidence of tangible improvements when we revisited West Midlands Police to look at their crime-recording arrangements. While the force had made some positive changes, they’ve had a limited impact so far.
“Unfortunately, we have a situation in the West Midlands where many violent crimes, including those related to domestic abuse, aren’t being recorded after they’ve been reported.
“We couldn’t find any clear evidence or explanation as to why. This is particularly concerning as it shows us that staff don’t yet understand basic crime-recording rules and procedures.
“Having said that, I recognise that the force has renewed its efforts since June 2018 and launched a revised improvement plan to get its crime-recording arrangements back on track.”
The force has challenged parts of the police watchdog’s assessment.
Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: “It is frustrating that, despite substantial progress, our grading has remained as inadequate.
“This report focuses upon our inspection of reports of violent crime and sexual offences. It does not include the results of other crimes, and consequently it has not recognised the force’s overall crime recording from which we have good, reliable crime accuracy.
“The system on which crime is recorded is old and due for replacement later this year.
“Unfortunately, due to difficulties in extracting accurate data from our old technology, inspectors were not able to validate a much improved overall crime recording accuracy. Consequently this report focuses upon the important areas of violence and sexual offences. Despite the limited progress in these areas up to May 2018, we are confident that our current position is much improved.
“Data sampled in this report is from a three month period only and we are continuing to make crime recording improvements overall with a particular focus on sexual offences and violent crime which is highlighted in the report.”
Deputy Chief Constable Rolfe added the force were disappointed to hear inspectors assessed a decision not to invest additional resources in crime recording teams as a failure.
She added: “HMICFRS consistently assess our efficiency in the use of resources as good or outstanding, i.e. we are making best use of what we’ve got, yet they also identify that we do not have enough call handlers, response officers, investigators or public protection specialists to deal with our demand.
“In these circumstances I would question where these additional crime administrators might be found.”
She added the force take the concerns raised regarding safeguarding very seriously and will be addressing these matters as a priority.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson said: “I support the work West Midlands Police has undertaken on addressing crime data integrity.
“Of course this comes at a time of unprecedented demand and falling government funding. Myself and West Midlands Police are committed to responding to and preventing violence.”
