ACPO comment on HMIC report - The crime scene: a review of police crime and incident reports

ACPO lead on performance management Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said:

“The UK is regarded as having one of the most rigorous crime recording regimes in the world and it is encouraging that this review by HMIC demonstrates that national crime statistics are more robust than ever. Nevertheless, there is always scope for improvement and ACPO continues to lead work to strengthen the accuracy and consistency of recording decisions . While this review deals with statistics recorded by the police themselves, the independent British Crime Survey provides the public with added assurance on crime data.

“Although the sample sizes used in each of these force reviews is so small as to prevent a full comparison, individual forces and authorities will be using the general indications in this national report to review and refresh their own policies and procedures.

“The report helpfully sets out some key success factors as being leadership, supervision and ensuring our people are appropriately trained to make the right decisions. ACPO will continue to work with the Home Office and HMIC to support forces in their efforts to build even greater confidence in crime statistics.”

A link to the HMIC report can be found here: http://www.hmic.gov.uk/publication/review-police-crime-incident-reports-20120125/

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk