Merseyside Police rated ‘outstanding’ at disrupting serious organised crime, according to latest assessment

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found the force’s performance across ten areas of policing was ‘outstanding’ in one, ‘good’ in eight and ‘adequate’ in one area.

HMICFRS said the force was outstanding at disrupting serious organised crime, one of only three forces to receive this grading so far.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said: “I congratulate Merseyside Police on its performance in keeping people safe and reducing crime. In particular, the force’s performance in dealing with serious and organised crime is outstanding. It disrupts gangs bringing in drugs from other areas in innovative ways and consults the public on how to use the money it seizes to benefit the community.

“The force is also performing well across most other areas of policing – this includes protecting vulnerable people, preventing and investigating crime, and supporting its own workforce.

“There are some areas where the force could improve, such as giving a better service to victims – for example, by recording why some victims withdraw their support for investigations – and responding quicker to priority calls.

“Merseyside Police should be applauded for its efforts to keep the public safe, and I will continue to monitor its progress as it makes further improvements.”

Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell welcomed the “positive” report.

“This report is particularly significant given Merseyside volunteered to be a pilot force for a new, more extensive type of inspection,” she said.

“This report confirms Merseyside Police is effective at dealing with its core business of preventing and deterring crime, responding to the public and protecting vulnerable people.

“Inspectors have rightly recognised that police here in Merseyside investigate crime well, are good at managing offenders and are planning effectively for the future.

“It is particularly pleasing that Merseyside Police’s work to disrupt serious and organised crime has been assessed as ‘outstanding’ yet again.

“The fact it is one of only three forces to receive this grading out of 18 which have received their assessments so far highlights just what an achievement this is.

“Inspectors also identified some areas of success and innovation, including the way Merseyside Police handles firearms, works with partners to recognise and assess vulnerability, and engages with its communities about how money seized by criminals should be best used.”

Ms Spurrell added: “I recognise that inspectors have also identified three areas as requiring improvement, two of which relate to the service it offers to victims of crime. It is vital that Merseyside Police provides the right response, every time to victims of crime and I know this is what the chief constable is committed to delivering.

“I know a significant amount of work has already been undertaken to address the issues highlighted and I will support the chief constable to make the changes needed, ensuring through my scrutiny processes that Merseyside Police continues to make progress in the way it responds to the needs of victims, records decisions when victims withdraw their support for investigations, and in how it responds to priority calls.

“Overall, this independent report has found Merseyside Police continues to be one of the top performing police forces in the country – a positive assessment achieved against a backdrop of austerity, which means Merseyside Police is still missing 456 officers from the number it boasted back in 2010.

“That is testament to the professionalism and dedication of the chief constable and her senior team and all the officers, PCSOs and staff who work so hard to serve our communities.”