Source · HMICFRS

PEEL Assessment 2023-25: Cheshire Constabulary

6 February 2025 PEEL Force Inspection 4 areas for improvement

PEEL 2023-25 inspection findings for Cheshire Constabulary

Applicable forces

Areas for improvement

AFI Cheshire Constabulary should make sure there are effective deployment decisions about scheduled incidents As part of our victim service assessment, we found that the constabulary didn’t have agreed and set attendance times for scheduled incidents. In our audit, we found that some scheduled incidents had significant delays in response. No re-THRIVE (threat, harm, risk, investigation, vulnerability and engagement) was completed to reassess the risk, and no contact was made with the caller to tell them about delays or to check if any circumstances had changed. In 23 of the 34 cases we reviewed, we found that there was effective and appropriate supervision when needed for deployment decisions. In April 2024, which was before we carried out our victim service assessment, the constabulary set up an incident demand analysis group to review performance in scheduled incidents. This was because the constabulary had identified performance concerns. Through this work, the constabulary introduced force control centre supervisor reviews at 6, 12 and 18 hours after the initial call. Since receiving our feedback, the constabulary has made changes to the Saab SAFE system. These should make it easier for staff in the force control centre to identify scheduled incidents in the queue that need a risk review, and to contact the caller. The constabulary has also made evening appointments available to improve the service for scheduled incidents. The constabulary planned to introduce a new scheduled incident standard by November 2024. It includes a clear time limit on attendance, regular risk assessment and caller contact processes, and clearly defined performance measures. It also includes a Microsoft Power BI dashboard for scheduled incidents, similar to the system in place for grade 2 response incidents. Cheshire Constabulary

AFI The constabulary should make sure call handlers consistently give appropriate advice on the preservation of evidence and crime prevention In December 2023, the constabulary introduced a text message service to all victims of crime. It gives a link to the constabulary’s crime prevention webpage. As part of our victim service assessment, we found that call handlers gave appropriate advice on preserving evidence in 20 of 31 relevant cases we reviewed. They gave appropriate advice on crime prevention in 24 of 34 relevant cases we reviewed. Following the constabulary’s own quality assurance audits, and after feedback we gave during our inspection, the constabulary made immediate changes to bring about improvements. The constabulary made IT changes to its risk assessment template, THRIVEC. It was changed to THRIVESC to incorporate giving advice on the preservation of evidence and crime prevention when answering calls in the force control centre. The constabulary also created an easily accessible aide-memoire for all operators. It covers crime scene preservation, safeguarding and crime prevention advice. During our fieldwork in September 2024, we saw operators in the force control centre using both the new template and the aide-memoire to give this advice. And in the incidents we assessed, we saw that call handlers were giving advice on the preservation of evidence and crime prevention. The constabulary has also updated its instant incident quality assurance work to check that call handers give advice on the preservation of evidence and crime prevention. Innovative practice Cheshire Constabulary

AFI Cheshire Constabulary doesn’t consistently achieve appropriate outcomes for victims The constabulary doesn’t consistently achieve acceptable outcomes for victims of crime. The number of crimes it solves following investigations is low. It needs to understand why this is the case and to work to achieve better outcomes for victims. In the year ending 31 March 2024, Cheshire Constabulary recorded 64,355 victim-based crimes. Of these recorded offences, 14.3 percent were assigned an ‘offences brought to justice’ outcome. This was higher than expected when compared to the average for other forces in England and Wales. The constabulary is constantly striving to achieve better outcomes for victims. There is a continuous focus on this at its governance meetings. 3 Mar 20 30 un 20 30 Sep 20 3 ec 20 3 Mar 20 30 un 20 30 Sep 20 3 ec 20 3 Mar 20 30 un 20 30 Sep 20 3 ec 20 3 Mar 20 30 un 20 30 Sep 20 3 ec 20 3 Mar 20 30 un 20 30 Sep 20 3 ec 20 3 Mar 2020 30 un 2020 30 Sep 2020 3 ec 2020 3 Mar 202 30 un 202 30 Sep 202 3 ec 202 3 Mar 2022 30 un 2022 30 Sep 2022 3 ec 2022 3 Mar 2023 30 un 2023 30 Sep 2023 3 ec 2023 3 Mar 2024 Cheshire Constabulary

AFI The constabulary should make sure it complies with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime The revised Code of Practice for Victims of Crime outlines the minimum standards for victims of crime. This includes the requirement that police officers and staff should make sure victims are updated about important decision points in the investigation. The commitment to giving these updates regularly, at a frequency agreed with the victim, is often known as the ‘victim contract’. In the cases we reviewed, we found that 16 of 55 victim contracts were completed. This means that some victims may not have received prompt updates about the investigation. Cheshire Constabulary