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HMIC Reports 2019

This page provides links to HMICFRS reports either specifically following an inspection of Essex Police or with regard to national policing but with direct relevance to Essex.

Please note that the PFCC response to the HMICFRS reports should be published within 30 days of the report being issued.

Letters from the PFCC to the Home Secretary in response to HMIC inspection reports are available below.

HMICFRS Report

Fraud: Time to Choose, an Inspection of the Police Response to Fraud

Response by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner:

Dear Home Secretary,

I write in response to the HMICFRS update report of April 2019 on Fraud: Time to Choose, an Inspection of the Police Response to Fraud.

Fraud is an area of crime in England that is touching more and more people and the findings from this report indicate that many victims of fraud are not receiving the level of service they deserve. I welcome the reflections from the report that there needs to be a better coordinated national approach to this issue.

I am pleased that Essex Police has invested in the investigation of fraud, centralising fraud investigations under the Serious Crime Directorate in 2018. As a result there has been a growth in the number of specialist investigators and the creation of a Primary Investigation Team and Volume Fraud Team. Outside of Metropolitan forces, I am pleased to say that Essex Police has the largest number of officers dedicated to this crime type.

Improvements have also been made with regard to utilising the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) data through existing teams, to identify vulnerability, offer multi agency support and focus on target hardening and long term support. Alongside this, every victim of cyber-crime receives direct contact from Cyber Protect officers within the force.

As such, I believe that the Chief Constable and I are well placed to respond to the Recommendations and Areas for Improvement emanating from this report, and that responses to victims of fraud in Essex will continue to improve.

Yours sincerely

Roger Hirst

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

HMICFRS Report

PEEL report 2018/19: an inspection of Essex Police

Response by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner:

Dear Home Secretary,

I write in response to the HMICFRS PEEL report 2018/19; an inspection of Essex Police, published on 2 May 2019.

I welcome the assessment of Essex Police’s performance in 2018/19 by HMICFRS as ‘Good’ across the areas of Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy. Positive assessments and reflections in all of these areas, including that of keeping people safe and reducing crime are encouraging and are delivered efficiently at a very modest spend per head of population.

As a PFCC this positive report provides a useful assessment, alongside our scrutiny programme, of Essex Police’s current performance and how it is doing compared to other police forces nationally.

I am pleased that HMICFRS have found that Essex Police is good at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour; it is good at investigating crime and is continuing to improve how it identifies and protects vulnerable people. The increased efficiency, focus and associated benefits of partnership working to address issues is significant and also sustainable in Essex. This is a very positive independent assessment and is a credit to the hard work and dedication of all the officers and staff at Essex Police.

Essex Police face demand and other challenges like most forces, and it is useful that the assessment identifies that the force has an ethical culture but that it has more to do to assure itself that it has the capacity and capability to root out corruption, and to address the abandonment rate of 101 calls.

In terms of outcomes for the public, whilst good progress is being made, we know there is still significant work to do to reduce overall crime and in particular to tackle violent crime and crack down on gangs. I look forward to the continued delivery against these priorities of the Police and Crime Plan in conjunction with the Chief Constable and his force.

Yours sincerely

Roger Hirst

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

HMICFRS Report

The police response to domestic abuse: An update report

Response by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner:

Dear Home Secretary,

I write in response to the HMICFRS update report of February 2019 on The Police Response to Domestic Abuse.

Essex Police face demand challenges like most other forces, as highlighted in this report, and the capacity to respond and deal quickly with demand continues to remain a high priority for the force. However, I am pleased to reflect that significant improvements have also been made by Essex Police to ensure that there is better support and protection for victims and that there is a commitment from the force and myself to continue to work internally and with partners to improve the response to victims of domestic abuse across our county.

Essex Police has invested in the number of specialist officers, training and skills in domestic abuse, increased the use and effectiveness of body worn video and has good mechanisms in place to review processes and procedures to ensure it is being as efficient and as effective as possible in the area of domestic abuse. The force has received positive feedback from victims in the regard that Essex Police has skilled domestic abuse officers who understand the complex aspect of this issue.

Existing priority areas for Essex Police are consistent with the findings of this HMICFRS report, including:

  • Use of pre-charge bail
  • Response times to victims of domestic abuse crimes
  • Roll out of Operation Encompass
  • Use of DVPN / DVPO

In Essex, we have also commissioned further academic study through Anglia Ruskin University to better understand the effectiveness of the use of DVPN/O’s, which should be delivered within the next year.

In Essex we also drive a strong partnership approach to addressing domestic abuse. The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership is chaired by my Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner, with the vice-chair held by ACC Prophet from Essex Police. This partnership encompasses the membership and support of the PFCC, Essex Police, Essex, Southend and Thurrock councils, Essex CRC, housing associations, NHS and Public Health. This partnership delivers a joined up approach to delivering an Essex-wide partnership strategy to tackle domestic abuse.

Yours sincerely

Roger Hirst

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

CONTACT THE PFCC

PFCC for Essex, Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3HB
01245 291600

If your enquiry relates to operational policing or a crime please contact Essex Police

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