Sussex Police says it welcomes a report published today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that says Sussex Police is effective at reducing crime and keeping people safe.

The report acknowledges that Sussex Police has improved its ability to identify vulnerable people and that officers and staff assess vulnerability well but inspectors want to see further improvements in this area and in efficiency overall.

The inspection team found that the force:

• has a clear plan for neighbourhood policing with on-going investment in increasing its presence in local communities and in its investigative capabilities
• has a good understanding of public demand, including uncovering ‘hidden demand’, and at planning future demand using innovative technology but could do more to address current lower risk issues
• is ethical and good at treating its employees and the public fairly

Responding to the report, Chief Constable Giles York said: “We are absolutely committed to delivering the highest possible quality of policing to our local communities in Sussex.

“The report recognises the overall quality of the service we provide but, being published almost a year after the inspection, does not reflect the huge strides that have been made since.

“During this period we have significantly reinvested in our neighborhood policing presence and in our investigative capacity, as well as launching new rural crime and proactive policing teams, both of which will be expanded further.

“We have reduced 101 call waiting times by more than 70 per cent, to an average of under five minutes, and cut the number of callers who hang up before getting through by more than 60 per cent. This is all making a difference now.

“In the coming weeks and months we will be further enhancing our service to victims of domestic abuse and the specialist support available for victims of sexual violence, among a range of growth plans.

“The recent and long overdue investment in policing is beginning to ease the pressure and lead to better outcomes for victims and for our local communities and we will build upon this.

“We welcome independent scrutiny for HMICFRS and recognise there is always more we can do. I remain incredibly proud of the work that our officers, staff and volunteers do every day to keep the people in Sussex safe.”

The full report is available here.

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