Performance and Measurement

Summary

Leicestershire Constabulary serves approximately one million people, with significant variations in deprivation levels and diverse communities across city and county areas.

In 2008, the force was graded as meeting the standard for Major Crime, acknowledging its significant investment of resources to develop capacity and capability to deal with major crime and thereby minimise the risk to the public. The force continues to play a leading part in promoting, and developing regional collaboration and capability in this area. It is also recognised nationally for being at the forefront of good practice for both neighbourhood policing and citizen focus.

The force continues to deliver good progress in performance against a broad range of measures. It has seen reductions across the board in recorded crime, as well as an increase in the rate of offences brought to justice and continuous improvement in the commitment to keeping victims of crime informed of the progress of their case.

The force and police authority have defined local matters of importance. This commitment has been evidenced by notable results in achieving all but one of the local objectives set, and includes achieving nearly 100% in front enquiry office opening times, considerably reduced levels of abstraction for neighbourhood officers from their neighbourhoods - well under the target of 5% - and exceeding local stretch targets for improvements in the time taken to answer non emergency calls. Local surveys carried out by the force demonstrate an increase in the public’s perception that they are dealing with things that matter to the community.

Following a poor grading for public protection in 2007, the subsequent re-inspection by HMIC in 2008 showed that the force had made significant progress to achieve a fair grade. This was due to implementing new processes and procedures, recruiting additional staff to support and deliver improved performance and addressing the critical area for improvement, the need to identify a long-term solution for managing home visits to low and medium risk registered sex offenders.

Leicestershire Constabulary is recognised as having delivered a number of leading developments in key areas of neighbourhood policing, showing a clear commitment to delivering a customer focused service. An innovative and dynamic approach is evidenced, including piloting the Flanagan Policing review to reduce bureaucracy, becoming more productive by introducing mobile data, matching resources to demand and risk and enhancing the response to calls from the public with a bespoke service. The force is recognised for ensuring good use of resources, investing wisely, and demonstrating sound internal systems of control and value for money.

The Loughborough University site is expected to attract a major Olympic team in 2012, for which contingency planning has already started. Additionally, the Special Olympics will be held in the City of Leicester. The planned growth at East Midlands airport, with an anticipated 3.5 million extra passengers by 2010, a new rail terminal, and runway extension, require further resources to protect against associated harm and risk.