Hampshire PEEL 2014

There is a strong emphasis in Hampshire Constabulary on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and preventing offending.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have seen some large reductions in crime and rates have fallen faster here than across England and Wales over the past four years. However, HMIC has serious and material concerns about the accuracy of the force’s crime-recording practices.

There is a continued focus on putting victims at the centre of policing. There is clear leadership within the force for the drive to place victims and witnesses at the heart of policing and the wider criminal justice system.

Hampshire Constabulary has clear policies and procedures to identify consistently vulnerable and repeat victims of crime and anti-social behaviour. The need to reduce the risk to victims and make them safer is understood by all staff. There is real emphasis at all levels that this should be the priority when responding to calls for assistance.

The force has skilled specialist teams investigating the most serious crimes and providing enhanced support to high-risk and vulnerable victims. The force also works well in partnership to prevent reoffending through the management of those criminals causing the most harm to the public.

HMIC found that investigations are generally carried out to a satisfactory standard, although there is some room for improvement in ensuring a consistent quality through better supervision so that opportunities to gather the best evidence are not missed, and victims’ needs are consistently met.

Integrated offender management arrangements are well established and effective with arrangements in place to prioritise offenders and reduce reoffending.

The force has in place methods to identify repeat victims to disrupt, reduce and prevent anti-social behaviour and prioritise vulnerable victims.

The force has strong partnerships focused on anti-social behaviour and works closely with these partners to accurately identify risks and priorities, and prevent the escalation of anti-social behaviour.

There is an inconsistent approach to gathering and analysing data and intelligence about anti-social

The domestic abuse inspection found that tackling domestic abuse is a priority for Hampshire Constabulary and the police and crime commissioner (PCC). The inspection found that staff demonstrated a good level of commitment and awareness. However, it found that, although high-risk cases received a great deal of scrutiny and high-risk victims of domestic abuse (those at high-risk of serious harm or murder) received a good level of service, this was not the case for incidents assessed as standard-risk.

The crime inspection found that tackling domestic abuse was a priority for the force and PCC with staff demonstrating a good level of commitment and awareness, although there was found to be some inconsistency in the level of service for incidents assessed as standard-risk. The inspection also reviewed Hampshire’s domestic abuse action plan and found that the plan outlined activity which was in line with the agreed national priorities for forces to improve their response to domestic abuse. There was no clear direct reference to the specific HMIC force recommendations in the plan, but the information contained within it supported most activity required from the HMIC recommendations.

The crime inspection found that the investigation and management of organised crime groups (OCGs) was limited in its effectiveness. Understanding of OCGs was developing with better mapping, but the inspection found that neighbourhood teams were not as aware or as involved in helping to tackle OCGs operating in their area as they could be. Progress in emerging areas, such as cyber-crime, lacked momentum due to limited knowledge and training.

There was no Strategic Policing Requirement inspection for this force.