Performance and Measurement

Summary

Northumbria Police is the sixth largest force in the UK and includes the major conurbations of Tyne and Wear and the rural county of Northumberland, with a total population of 1.4 million.

In 2008, the force was inspected by HMIC in relation to serious and organised crime, major crime, neighbourhood policing and citizen focus. Neighbourhood policing continues to be the means by which policing services are delivered and complements the ‘total policing’ concept. The force has 38 neighbourhood policing teams, each headed by a neighbourhood inspector with a team of sergeants, constables, community support officers, special constables and police staff. The force basic command unit boundaries are coterminous with those of local authorities’ thus maximising opportunities to adopt a ‘neighbourhood management’ approach. Northumbria was graded as ‘Meets the Standard’ for both neighbourhood policing and developing citizen focus policing by HMIC following the 2008 inspection. Northumbria was graded as ‘Meets the Standard’ in respect of major crime provision.

During 2007/08, Northumbria police delivered a significant reduction in recorded crime with almost 20,000 (15.4%) fewer offences recorded than the previous year. All crime reduction targets were met and the force continues to maintain its consistent trend of year on year crime reduction. Other reductions included criminal damage falling by 17.5%, vehicle crime by 14.1%, house burglary by 21.3% and violent crime by 19.5%. The force compared well with peers in all categories. In 2007/08, the force detected nearly 42,000 crimes, increasing the detection rate from 37.5% to 38.4%. Satisfaction levels improved substantially compared to 2006/07, reflecting the priority placed on citizen focus. The percentage of users satisfied with the overall service provided has risen by 4.5% compared to 2006/07 and, at 87.3%, is one of the highest levels in the country.

The force has set a number of local priorities, including improving the satisfaction rate of people who think their local police do a good job, reducing and detecting criminal damage offences, and anti-social behaviour. There has been good progress in all areas except youth related anti-social behaviour. Overall, anti-social behaviour fell by 11.5% in 2007/08. The increase in youth related incidents is attributable to an improved use of qualifying codes within the communications centres. In addition, the force is developing a plan for children and young people to tackle the broader issues of youth engagement and offending.

A number of key force developments have been introduced during 2008 to support the force’s 2020 Vision. The force has embarked on a programme of change with an assessment of corporate processes at the highest level in the organisation. It has implemented a leadership strategy governing all leadership activity within the organisation, delivered via specific leadership objectives.

In March 2008, following a review of its protective services capability, the force developed a protective services capabilities improvement plan, by which the force will develop its protective services capability in accordance with the Association of Chief Police Officers Protective Services Minimum Threshold Standards.

Northumbria Police is preparing to meet the future key challenges by providing a customer focused response delivered through neighbourhood policing whilst ensuring value for money. Work is ongoing to ensure greater partnership alignment and to maintain capacity to deal with serious and organised crime and terrorism.