Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted
We asked whether the Programme was about more ‘bobbies on the beat’ rather than tackling...
Conclusion
We asked whether the Programme was about more ‘bobbies on the beat’ rather than tackling the more complex areas of crime that are growing, such as serious sexual offences and fraud. The Department told us that the Programme would not have a direct and immediate impact on such issues, as it was focused on recruiting officers at the entry level whereas crimes such as rape required more experienced officers. The Department told us that some new officers who were recruited directly as detectives would have more impact on these crimes sooner, but that the majority would take time to gain experience.47 Securing outcomes
Government Response Summary
The government states it is committed to tackling all types of crime, including serious sexual offences and fraud, and is working with forces to ensure they have the right skills and resources. They also mention the NPCC-led review of operational productivity and total funding for policing.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government is committed to tackling all types of crime, including serious sexual offences and fraud. As the Committee notes, the Police Uplift Programme is focused on recruiting officers at the entry level, whereas crimes such as rape require more experienced officers. The government is working with forces to ensure that they have the right skills and resources to tackle these types of crime. The Home Office is also working with the College of Policing to develop training and guidance for officers on how to investigate serious sexual offences and fraud. Additionally, as set out in recommendation 2 above, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) led review of operational productivity in policing will look to ensure policing is delivering the best possible value for the public from the significant investment made by this government. Total funding for policing in 2022-23 is nearly £17 billion, the highest for over a decade.