Performance and Measurement

Summary

Cheshire Constabulary is responsible for policing the county of Cheshire and the unitary authorities of Halton (including Runcorn and Widnes) and Warrington. The force area covers 946 square miles and a significantly diverse population of just over 1 million. Nearly 2% of the resident population are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. In August 2006, one of the largest outdoor music festivals, Creamfields, was held in the Cheshire policing area for the first time. It attracted around 45,000 festival-goers and required a substantial policing operation; the event was successful and was repeated again this year.

The HMIC baseline assessment for 2006/07 found that progress had been made in the development of Neighbourhood Policing through the delivery of services by Neighbourhood Policing units. The Reassurance programme ensures the continuation of this process. The force performed well against many of the priorities and targets set by the police authority during 2006/07. The Performance Improvement Meeting process has been strengthened and a performance regime for the business services directorate introduced.

Protecting Vulnerable People and servicing public protection requirements are recognised as risk areas for the force. There is in place a central strategic public protection unit and in some key areas, such as public protection, the force is introducing changes in staffing levels and policies to make necessary improvements and strengthen management arrangements.

Volume crime investigation has improved with the rates for both offences brought to justice and sanction detections rising. Volume crime reduction has improved with the rates of violent crime, life-threatening and gun crime and acquisitive crime all falling in 2006/07. User satisfaction has improved in 2006/07 with particular increases in the satisfaction of ‘treatment by staff’.

Force performance against local priorities was mixed; reductions in vehicle, business and commercial crime, and domestic burglary exceeded the target, while satisfaction levels for non-emergency calls were at a similar standard as the year before. However, satisfaction with action taken in relation to emergency calls failed to meet the target. This is an area of continuing emphasis within the force’s performance improvement framework.

The HMIC baseline assessment for 2005/06 graded strategic roads policing as Fair and Deteriorated. Since then progress has been made, with a particular focus on resourcing and training, and the force is now delivering improved performance, evidenced by reductions in the number of people killed and seriously injured. Senior officers and the police authority have closely monitored progress and HMIC has recently reassessed the force as Fair and Stable for roads policing.

In general, identified areas for improvement are managed through action plans owned by key individuals and are scrutinised through the force’s Performance Improvement Meeting framework and by the police authority. In February this year the force introduced a major new IT system, which required a considerable programme of process change and training. Implementation of the system was successful, with limited impact on day-to-day business.

The force has established programmes of work that are designed to maximise resources by challenging how business is undertaken. It has also been actively developing collaborative arrangements with surrounding forces and works closely with North Wales Police on a range of issues to improve efficiency.