Staffordshire Police treatment of victims 'inadequate'

The HMIC report reveals that the force is not properly managing victims of domestic violence and has an inconsistent approach in responding to reports of missing children.

It said domestic violence victims were not always dealt with by specially-trained staff, and that they were not always believed. Staffordshire Police received an overall rating of 'requires improvement' in the report.

It advised Staffordshire Police to look at the behaviour of its staff towards vulnerable people and evaluate the effectiveness of its training in relation to vulnerability.

The findings were revealed in the Polite, Effectiveness, Efficiency and LegitimacyReport, which gave Staffordshire Police a rating of 'requires improvement' for effectiveness. West Midlands Police, however, was rated as 'good' overall, while West Mercia Police was given the third tier 'requires improvement' rating.

The report looked at all 43 forces in England and Wales, investigating how well they prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, investigate crime and manage offenders, protect vulnerable people and support victims, and tackle serious and organised crime.

Jane Sawyers, Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, said: "The report recognises that the force places a strong emphasis on early intervention to prevent problems from occurring, or from escalating.

"The report also recognises our specialist staff who, working alongside local policing teams and partner organisations, identify, monitor and manage repeat and dangerous offenders to stop them re-offending."

The county's PCC Matthew Ellis has questioned the reliability of the report. "The force and I have raised concerns about the way the supporting vulnerable people assessment was done," he said. "The assessment of 'outstanding' for public engagement is also questionable. Over the last six months Staffordshire Police have done exceptional work to improve engagement, including their public visibility by utilising new mobile technology, but at the time HMIC carried out the inspection it did not merit 'outstanding'.

"HMIC state that Staffordshire Police are working well to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour and that reflects the extra focus being made by the force in that area of work.

"Tackling serious and organised crime effectively is also highlighted in the findings and that is an aspect of Staffordshire Police's work I've been impressed with since taking office.

"I agree with HMIC that police need to consistently ensure victims are at the heart of all they do and the new Victim Gateway, developed by my office, will assist in ensuring that."

West Midlands Police achieved a consistent rating of 'good' in most areas – including tackling serious organised crime – one below the highest grade of 'outstanding'.

However, the force was told it needs to improve work protecting vulnerable people from harm and supporting victims. Failings were also unearthed in the same area for Staffordshire Police, rated as 'inadequate' for protecting vulnerable people and supporting victims.

It noted delays in some investigations, a lack of victim contact, limited supervision, and on occasions crimes being allocated to staff 'without sufficient investigative skills'.