Wiltshire Police has a clear commitment to getting crime recording right
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today published an assessment on the accuracy of crime recording in Wiltshire Police, which found that the force records around 91 percent of crimes reported to it.
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Wiltshire Police: Crime Data Integrity inspection 2017
HMICFRS previously inspected the accuracy of crime recording in Wiltshire Police in 2014.
To assess the extent that recorded crime information in Wiltshire Police can be trusted, HMICFRS asked:
- How effective is the force at recording reported crime?
- How efficiently do the systems and processes in the force support accurate crime recording?
- How well does the force demonstrate the leadership and culture necessary to meet the national standards for crime recording?
Based on these criteria, overall HMICFRS has judged Wiltshire Police as ‘good’.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said:
“I am pleased to report that Wiltshire Police has improved their crime recording with careful planning and a clear commitment to getting it right.
“We found that the force has recorded nearly 91% of all crimes reported to it accurately. Wiltshire Police has set up a dedicated unit to ensure all reports are recorded properly and that all victims receive the service and support they deserve. HMICFRS expect crimes to be recorded accurately and for victims to receive a good service from the police. Without exception, we found an approach among the force which places the victim at the forefront of their crime-recording decisions. The culture and leadership is outstanding and officers are better equipped in their understanding and knowledge of this vitally important aspect of policing.
“Despite these signs of progress, the force must continue to improve. The force is still not recording a large number of crimes each year – approximately 4,100 incidents. This includes violent crimes, in particular those related to incidents of domestic abuse and stalking and harassment. We also found that the force had not recorded all reported crimes of rape related to modern slavery. These failings are depriving many victims of the services to which they are entitled.
“Nonetheless, I am pleased to see the good progress that the force has made in recording crime. I would like to see this progress continue to ensure the other areas for improvement we have identified are addressed.”
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Wiltshire Police: Crime Data Integrity inspection 2017
Notes to editors
- HMICFRS is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing to promote improvements in policing that make everyone safer, and assesses and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces to tackle crime and terrorism, improve criminal justice and raise confidence.
- On 19 July 2017 HMIC took on responsibility for fire & rescue service inspections and was renamed HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
- HMICFRS inspects all 43 police forces in England and Wales together with other major policing and law enforcement bodies.
- HMICFRS are unable to make direct comparisons with the 2014 inspection due to a change in the methodology used. In particular, the 2014 inspection was a dip-sample of records in each force which contributed to a statistically robust rate for crime-recording accuracy for England and Wales, whereas this inspection is working to a statistically robust standard within each force.
- Further information on how Wiltshire Police is performing can be found on HMICFRS’ online assessment tool.
- For further information, HMICFRS’ press office can be contacted during office hours from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday on 0203 513 0600.
- HMICFRS’ out-of-hours press office line for urgent media enquiries is 07836 217 729.