NPCC Chair statement: HMICFRS State of Policing report

Commenting on the findings of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary’s annual State of Policing 2024-25 report, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC chair, said:

"We welcome the comments in Sir Andy Cooke’s report and the acknowledgement of many positive efforts within policing to improve the service we are providing to our communities.

“A decade of underinvestment has left police forces with insufficient resource to always meet public expectations, alongside complex and changing criminality.

“While policing will continue to respond to challenges which currently show no signs of slowing, the way policing is currently set up is unsustainable.

“That is why urgent reform is absolutely essential if UK policing is to be able to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose and cost-effective service to the public. We look forward to the Government White Paper on Police Reform setting out a bold and ambitious vision for policing, so we can be more effective in responding to rapidly changing threats to community safety. 

“Forces across England and Wales have made good progress in delivering better neighbourhood policing, including increasing visibility of police on the streets, giving communities and businesses a greater voice and influence over local policing priorities.”