Bedfordshire Police 'failing some victims of crime'

Anglia
Bedfordshire
Tuesday 7 August 2018 at 6:22am

Bedfordshire Police 'failing some victims of crime' Credit: ITV Anglia

Bedfordshire Police is 'failing some victims of crime' according to an inspectors' report.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services says the force has improved since it's last inspection in 2014, but estimates almost 5,000 crimes go unreported each year, including 1,800 reports of violent crime and 60 sexual assaults.

Bedfordshire Police 'failing some victims of crime' Credit: ITV Anglia

For this latest inspection, HMICFRS has judged Bedfordshire Police's crime recording as 'requires improvement'.

"There is more work to do. Violent crime is still under-recorded, with only 86% of reported violent crimes making it onto the books. We saw evidence that officers and staff simply did not understand the Home Office's crime recording rules, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse and vulnerable victims. Our case file audit identified 32 crimes involving vulnerable victims, but just over half were not recorded by the force. When a force's understanding of the nature and extent of crime in its community is flawed, some victims may not get the help and support they urgently need. And when crimes against the vulnerable are not recorded, they might be exposed to further harm. Bedfordshire Police knows it has more to do to make sure every victim is heard and every crime is recorded. With some more hard work, I am confident that Bedfordshire Police will be able to make further improvements."