Statement in response to the new national Policing Performance System

A new Policing Performance System has been launched today by His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).  

The system sees all police forces in England and Wales assigned to one of four levels depending on performance and marks the start of a new approach to assessing, supporting and improving the service police forces provide to their communities. Level 1 being the standard for policing and Level 4 (Special Measures) being the forces that need the most intervention and support. 

Avon and Somerset Police has been placed in Level 2.

Today’s assessment recognises that Avon and Somerset Police has made significant progress in addressing many of the issues identified by inspectors in recent years. That improvement is welcome and reflects a great deal of hard work across the organisation.

However, Level 1 should be the baseline that communities expect from their police service and is the standard that Avon and Somerset Police is working towards. The areas where further improvement is needed – how quickly officers attend incidents, how effectively crimes are investigated and the service victims receive – are issues that residents regularly raise with me, and they are issues I continue to scrutinise closely.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I maintain regular engagement with HMICFRS. I will continue to discharge close scrutiny of the Chief Constable and Avon and Somerset Police through my monthly Governance and Scrutiny Board, and wider scrutiny and accountability processes to ensure progress continues. What matters most is not only that performance measures improve, but that victims and communities feel the difference in the service they receive.