Dyfed-Powys in a ‘strong position’ to improve its crime-recording accuracy, say inspectors
Inspectors are confident that Dyfed-Powys Police can improve its crime-recording practices, according to a new report published today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS).
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Dyfed-Powys Police: Crime Data Integrity inspection 2018
HMICFRS previously inspected the accuracy of crime recording in Dyfed-Powys Police in 2014. For this latest inspection, the policing inspectorate concluded that the force had a good history of recording modern slavery offences and crimes involving images of underage children.
However, the report goes on to estimate that over 1,500 violent crimes go unrecorded in Dyfed-Powys every year – potentially leaving victims without access to vital programmes such as Victim Support.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said:
“I was encouraged to find areas of good practice in Dyfed-Powys Police. Its approach to some of the more complicated crimes the police can encounter, like modern slavery and sexual offences, is commendable. That tells me that the force could do more to improve recording of more common crimes, like public order offences and violent crimes.
“Every victim should be able to get the help they need to recover, but the need is especially great when someone is the victim of a violent or repeat crime. But in many cases, victims only get the right to essential support services when a crime is recorded.
“That’s why I was concerned to see that the force consistently missed crimes related to domestic abuse, stalking and harassment off the books.
“I know that the force has already acted to make changes for the better, but there’s more work to do. Dyfed-Powys is in a strong position to learn from its successes and take action so that every victim can be sure they’ll get the right support for them.”
HMICFRS plans to monitor Dyfed-Powys Police’s progress. As with all police forces, the inspectorate may carry out another unannounced crime data integrity inspection of Dyfed-Powys at any time.
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Dyfed-Powys Police: Crime Data Integrity inspection 2018
Notes to editors
- HMICFRS is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing and fire and rescue services in the public interest. It assesses and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and fire and rescue services.
- HMICFRS inspects all 43 police forces in England and Wales together with other major policing and law enforcement bodies. It also inspects all 45 fire and rescue services in England.
- HMICFRS is 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 Dyfed-Powys Police is performing can be found on the HMICFRS online assessment tool.
- For further information, HMICFRS’s press office can be contacted during office hours from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday on 020 3513 0600.
- HMICFRS’s out-of-hours press office line for urgent media enquiries is 07836 217729.