Performance and Measurement

Summary

Cambridgeshire occupies a strategically significant location, linking the Midlands and East Anglia. Cambridgeshire has recently seen rising numbers of migrant workers, particularly in the north of the county, linked to EU accession states. Peterborough has a large number of black and minority ethnic and other minority communities, with in excess of 70 languages being spoken. Specific activities undertaken include the introduction of multilingual support officers to assist with community, conversational and custody work, and recruitment of community support officers with specific language skills. The southern half of the county falls within the London commuter belt, with associated high housing costs in Cambridge and the surrounding villages.

This year, the HMIC inspections in Neighbourhood Policing, Developing Citizen Focus Policing and Major Crime identified that Cambridgeshire Constabulary met the required standard. The major crime review identified that Cambridgeshire had invested suitable and appropriate resources for interventions, to maximise return of harm reduction, minimise risk to public and inhibit major crime. In particular, Cambridgeshire’s role in developing knowledge and awareness around human trafficking is noteworthy. The Constabulary’s significant progress in developing its approach to neighbourhood policing was recognised along with its commitment to delivering quality services as part of its citizen focus policing philosophy. Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s vision on Citizen Focus policing is embedding a first class service and it is currently rolling out a major cultural change programme called ‘Putting people first’ to ensure first class delivery of Citizen Focused Policing to create a safer Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire saw a very positive end to 2007/2008 with crime down in all headline categories, resulting in just over 3,800 fewer victims of crime. Detections increased to 27.1%, with major activity and focus on suspect and investigation management. Improvements in victim satisfaction levels were reported, however, performance relating to Follow Up remains a key challenge. The force response centres on Victim Care Contracts, which will form the basis for identifying victim expectations relating to the investigation process and tailoring service delivery to meet this. A comprehensive ‘satisfaction and dissatisfaction reporting process’ has been introduced, by which organisational learning is facilitated, involving contacting anyone who has participated in the force public satisfaction survey to identify specific issues surrounding their satisfaction or dissatisfaction. This is then fed back to the Chief Constable via the Force Performance Challenge Group.

The Police Authority required the Constabulary to enable new populations moving into the county to live in harmony with existing communities. This included investigating 100% of racially aggravated offences, to achieve a 45% Sanctioned detection rate. The force achieved 49.6%, well above target.

The Force has continued to build on the positive inspection grades received in 2007, and HMIC inspections this year have again resulted in positive reinforcement, with Major Crime and Serious and Organised Crime investigation inspections noting that the force demonstrates a maturing process in its approach to managing major crime. The inspection into Public Protection highlighted a small number of Area’s For Improvement including recording of harassment warnings issued for domestic violence incidents. A harassment warning form has been developed.

Cambridgeshire has made significant improvements in Efficiency Planning, including cashable savings. Recorded Robbery fell by 14.9% compared to 06-07. Call handling performance has remained consistently above the 90% target throughout the year and demonstrates the emphasis placed on customer contact.

Key challenges for the future remain balancing resources to support the delivery of services to an expanding and more complex county. The Constabulary continues to pursue collaborative opportunities within the region and a number of potentially significant projects are in the pipeline.