Performance and Measurement
Force Assessment - Bedfordshire
Back to previous pageEach assessment made about the force in the seven key performance areas is shown here. A summary of force performance is also provided, and additionally, users can view the force’s assessments in comparison to its peers. Finally, basic factual information about the force is shown.
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Bedfordshire is most similar to:
View assessments compared to peers.
| Performance Areas | Delivery | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Reducing Crime | Fair | Improved |
| Investigating Crime | Good | Improved |
| Promoting Safety | Fair | Improved |
| Providing Assistance | Good | Stable |
| Citizen Focus | Fair | Stable |
| Resource Use | Good | Stable |
| Local Policing | Poor | Improved |
Summary of HMIC baseline assessments.
Bedfordshire covers three big towns and a large rural area. The force also polices Luton Airport and some of the busiest roads in Europe. The appointment of a new Chief Constable and deputy in September 2004, along with a new police authority chair, has also meant significant changes in the command team.
Bedfordshire’s performance for 2004/05 in some of the key crime categories was much improved on the previous year, although the continued rise in reported violent crime remains a concern. The force achieved its highest ever level of recorded detections. However, this recent performance improvement has been at the expense of progress towards community engagement and neighbourhood policing, which is now being driven by an Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) lead.
The loss of experienced criminal investigators to other forces continues to affect the force’s overall investigative capability, and financial resolution of the incident at Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre still presents a potentially significant resource challenge.
For further information see the full baseline assessment.
Police Authority Chair: Peter Conniff
Authority Website: www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk
Chief Constable: Gillian Parker
Force Website: www.bedfordshire.police.uk
Staff Numbers:
- Police Officers: 1232
- Police Staff: 713
- Community Support Officers: 40
- Other Staff: 43
- Special Constables: 209
Budget 2005/06: £83.1m
