HMIC report urges national police force after victim failures
The police watchdog's annual report criticises forces for failing victims on basic duties and calls for a single national force to improve standards.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The police watchdog has published its annual report, criticising forces in England and Wales for failing victims on basic duties and calling for a single national force to improve standards.
The report from the Inspector of Constabulary found that many forces still struggle with the basics of good investigation, including gathering evidence, identifying and progressing lines of inquiry, and keeping victims updated on their cases. Out of 13 forces assessed in recent years, not one was graded outstanding or good for investigations.
The report also highlights the greatest strength of policing: its workforce. The vast majority of officers are said to demonstrate professionalism and courage. However, it warns that policing is under increased strain as threats and crime evolve, and forces face growing financial pressure.
The report calls for a centralised national police service and fewer regional forces to eliminate duplication. This has drawn a mixed response. A former senior officer expressed skepticism, saying structural change does not always improve operational outcomes. The policing minister said the government's plans will tackle long-term challenges, and the Home Office welcomed the report as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen policing.
The report comes amid recent high-profile policing operations and ongoing scrutiny of police performance, including the Nottingham attacks inquiry.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One |
|---|---|---|
| None of the 13 forces assessed were graded outstanding or good for investigations. | ||
| Police officers were reported to show professionalism and courage, with the workforce seen as a strength. | ||
| The police watchdog raised concerns about the quality of police investigations and the service received by victims. | ||
| A chief constable told the BBC that her force has been under-staffed and under-resourced for years. | · | |
| Many police forces in England and Wales were reported to need improvements in crime investigation practices. | · | |
| Many victims were reported to receive a lower quality of service than expected. | · | |
| The HMIC report covers only the 43 police forces in England and Wales. | · | |
| The Home Office welcomed the report and recognised the government police reform programme as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen policing. | · | |
| The report called for a centralised national police service and fewer regional forces to eliminate duplication. | · | |
| The report said policing is under increased strain and forces face growing financial pressure. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This bulletin gave a brief, straightforward summary of the report, focusing on the need for improvement in investigations and the positive note about the workforce. It did not mention the call for a national force or any political reaction.
- “Many police forces in England and Wales still need to make improvements in the way they investigate crime and other basics of policing.”
- “It also highlighted the greater strengths of policing is its workforce, with the vast majority of officers demonstrating professionalism and courage.”
This channel provided a detailed report, highlighting the specific failures in investigations, the lack of outstanding or good grades for any force, and the strain on policing. It also included reaction from a chief constable and the Home Office, giving a broader context of financial pressure and government reform.
- “Out of 13 forces assessed in recent years, she said, not one was graded outstanding or good for investigations.”
- “The report says policing is under increased strain as threats and crime evolve.”
- “The Home Office says it welcomes the report and its recognition of the government police reform programme as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen policing.”
This channel gave the most comprehensive coverage, including the call for a centralised national police service, the skepticism of a former senior officer, and the context of recent protests and the Nottingham inquiry. It balanced the report's findings with critical reaction and practical implications.
- “The report calls for a centralised national police service and fewer regional forces in England and Wales to eliminate duplication”
- “but actually when you go down into it the operational aspects are still the same.”
- “It said too many victims were not receiving the quality of service they deserve and not being updated on their cases.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.