Warwickshire PEEL 2014
Efficiency
How well the force delivers value for money
To what extent is the force efficient?
Warwickshire Police analysed demand when devising its structures and, now these are in place and operating, it is planning to carry out further analysis of demand.
The crime bureau resolves a high proportion of the force’s low-level crime at the first point of contact. This allows neighbourhood teams to be more available within their areas.
The resources of both Warwickshire and West Mercia forces can be deployed in a ‘borderless’ way to ensure that the most appropriate response is provided.
Over the last 12 months, recorded crime has fallen by 3 percent compared to the England and Wales figure of 1 percent.
To what extent is the force taking steps to ensure a secure financial position for the short and long term?
Warwickshire Police faced a difficult financial challenge to save 28 percent of its total spending, from a position of already being a low spending police force.
Warwickshire has an ambitious and innovative alliance with West Mercia Police, which is enabling both forces to make significant savings through collaborating.
As a result of the alliance, the force will overachieve on savings during the spending review and will also balance its budget for 2015/16.
Finances are well managed, with sound future plans. Further significant savings are expected from the alliance. The force is extremely well placed for future financial challenges.
To what extent has the force got an affordable way of providing policing?
The alliance is providing Warwickshire Police with significant opportunities for cost savings and, importantly, is providing the people of Warwickshire with a better equipped and more effective police service.
The force has made good progress with developing and implementing the alliance; the phased approach to managing the change has been effective and well led.
Most of the savings have been made from reducing staffing numbers, and now the alliance is set to increase the non-pay savings.
The force has protected frontline policing from cuts. The proportion of officers on the front line by 2015 will be higher than that for England and Wales.