South Yorkshire and Humberside Police told to improve by inspectors

Inspectors have told the police forces for South Yorkshire and Humberside they need to improve.

They are two of just eight forces deemed to require improvement in the latest efficiency inspection by the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies.

The assessment looks at how they use resources and how they plan to in the future, to keep people safe and reduce crime.

HMIC said Humberside Police need to do more to understand "demand" for services. Its report added that inspectors were "disappointed" at the insufficient number of officers sent to some high-priority incidents.

The inspectors said South Yorkshire Police had "limited understanding" of how to prevent crime from taking place.

In response, Humberside Police said they welcomed the HMIC report into efficiency, which they say has recognised improvements over the past year and upgraded the force to requires Improvement.

Chief Constable Justine Curran said: “This is welcome news and I am pleased that our efforts have been recognised. Modern policing is very a tough job, done by extraordinary individuals, often in difficult circumstances. I’d like to pay tribute to the men and women of the force, who are making a real difference to the communities we serve, every single day."

South Yorkshire Poilce say thety have already started working on the areas which they have been told to improve on in the report.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Barber, said: “South Yorkshire Police welcomes the latest HMIC report, the findings of which are similar to the conclusions of the Peer Review conducted by the College of Policing in to the Force earlier this year, and those already recognised by the Force through its own internal review.

“As such, we are already acting on the areas highlighted as requiring improvement by HMIC, in line with the recommendations provided."