Durham Police rated 'outstanding' for reducing crime and keeping people safe

Durham Police have been praised in a report on overall effectiveness in reducing crime and keeping people safe.

It was the only force rated outstanding by the police watchdog. Cleveland Police are one of 18 told they require improvement.

HMIC has graded every police force based on an assessment of how well forces prevent crime and anti-social behaviour; investigate crime and manage offenders; protect vulnerable people and support victims; and tackle serious and organised crime.

Across England and Wales, HMIC has graded 1 force (Durham Constabulary) as outstanding; 24 forces as good; and 18 forces as requires improvement. No force was found to be inadequate.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham, who led the inspection, said:

The picture elsewhere is mixed. While HMIC found both good practice and things that need to improve in all areas:

• Forces are mostly good at tackling serious and organised crime (although they are generally better at ‘traditional’ organised crime, such as drug-dealing, than so-called newer areas, such as child sexual exploitation and cyber-crime);

• As HMIC reported in December 2015, the poorest performance was found to be in relation to the care and support for vulnerable victims, including children. Three-quarters of forces didn’t meet the standard of ‘good’ here; while, in contrast,

• HMIC found big improvements in how forces respond to domestic abuse victims.