We have to find long-term solutions to consistently prevent harm and manage the demand forces are facing

National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Crime Operations, Chief Constable Michael Barton said:

"HMIC's inspection of police force effectiveness has found that most forces are good overall, more are improving particularly in protecting vulnerable people and victim satisfaction is at 83 per cent.

"It is our job to prevent crime and keep people safe so it is disappointing that HMIC also have concerns that some forces are falling short. 

“Over the last five years, police budgets were reduced by 22 per cent and we lost 32,334 officers and staff at a time where the crime is changing, becoming more costly and complex to investigate and other calls for our service have increased.  It’s a simple reality that we are required to prioritise more. Difficult decisions are being made between resourcing neighbourhood teams, response units, specialist investigations, and digital and cyber-enabled crime.  Police chiefs around the country will be looking at their local assessment to consider the impact of resourcing decisions, which may have been hidden from view.

“There are no easy answers, we have to find long-term solutions so that we consistently prevent harm and manage the demand forces are facing. Chief officers are working with Police & Crime Commissioners to deliver transformative change across policing that will make us better at fighting crime and protecting people in a cost effective way."