Watchdog says Sussex Police needs to improve 'safeguarding vulnerable people'

An official inspection by a government watchdog, published today, has said Sussex Police needs to improve how it deals with vulnerable people. The report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) also stated the county's police force needs to improve its efficiency if the public are to receive a service that is consistently cost-effective. Sussex's chief constable, Giles York, said the watchdog's report was published a considerable time after the April 2019 inspection, and that it did not reflect the "huge strides" that have been made since. Criticism and praise Last April's inspection was made after a small number of high-profile disciplinary cases involving officers who had served with Sussex Police who had either not safeguarded victims appropriately, or who had behaved unprofessionally toward vulnerable people. The most widely reported case surrounded the murder of 19 year-old Portslade woman Shana Grice, killed by a stalker after police had issued her with a fixed penalty notice following multiple reports she'd made of harassment and violence. In a summary of their report, HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham, stated: "I am satisfied with most aspects of the performance of Sussex Police. "But the force needs to make improvements in how it deals with vulnerable people. "It also needs to improve its efficiency if it is to provide a consistently cost-effective service to the public." Later in the report, the inspector continued: "I am disappointed that the force has not responded to our previous concerns and recommendations as to how it safeguards vulnerable people. "It does not consistently assess the risks or respond to them in a timely manner, which means that people at risk may not always be adequately protected." Ms. Billingham also added a note about how Sussex Police responds to people who need its services: "The force is struggling to meet demand for its services. "It should gain a better understanding of how it uses and prioritises resources to meet current demand." The HMICFRS report also acknowledged much that had improved in Sussex Police over time, and found several areas to praise in the force's efforts to preserve the safety and security of people in Sussex: "I commend the force for the way it has improved how it prevents crime and anti-social behaviour. "There has been an investment in neighbourhood policing, and there is a clear plan as to how these resources will be used to support local communities and prevent crime from happening. "The force also investigates crime well." Sussex Police responds Responding on the day of publication, Sussex Police's chief constable welcomed the report, and pointed out the long delay between the inspectors' visit and the distribution of their findings. Giles York said: "The report recognises the overall quality of the service we provide but, being published almost a year after the inspection, does not reflect the huge strides that have been made since. "During this period, we have significantly reinvested in our neighbourhood policing presence and in our investigative capacity, as well as launching new rural crime and proactive policing teams, both of which will be expanded further. "We have reduced 101 call waiting times by more than 70 per cent, to an average of under five minutes, and cut the number of callers who hang up before getting through by more than 60 per cent. "In the coming weeks and months we will be further enhancing our service to victims of domestic abuse and the specialist support available to victims of domestic abuse, and the specialist support available to victims of sexual violence, among a range of growth plans." Noting the manner in which Sussex Police received HMICFRS examinations in the past, the Inspector of Constabulary concluded: "The force has a good track record of taking positive action following our inspections. "The force continues to uphold an ethical culture and promote standards of professional behaviour well. "I am confident that it will take the necessary steps to ensure any issues are resolved quickly."   More Radio is continuously dedicated to providing a quality news service on-air and online, reporting local stories that matter across Sussex. If you enjoyed reading this story, then check out our home page at moreradio.online where you can find the latest from the county, along with features and competitions from our presenters, as well as listening to the station live. You can also sign up to our news alerts to receive updates on new stories. Simply click on the bell at the bottom right of the home page. This will then allow a pop-up which will ask if you would like to receive alerts. Press ‘allow’ and you’re all signed up! You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.