Lincolnshire’s police and crime commissioner, Marc Jones, has responded to a recent report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that highlighted five key areas of concern regarding Lincolnshire Police’s performance. He has called the findings a result of “generational underfunding”, echoing the concerns many local police forces have regarding the lack of resources and financial support.
In his statement, Jones acknowledges that funding challenges should not be used as an excuse for poor performance but insists that the root cause of the problems identified by HMICFRS lies in the insufficient staffing levels and under-resourced services within the force. Despite these challenges, Jones is committed to supporting the force to improve and push for the necessary resources to ensure the safety of Lincolnshire’s communities.
The Key Findings of the HMICFRS Report
The HMICFRS report presented a number of challenges that Lincolnshire Police must address to improve its performance and service delivery. Some of the most critical points raised include:
- Call Attendance Times: The force was found to be failing to attend calls within its published target times.
- Investigations: There are significant shortcomings in how investigations are allocated, supervised, and carried out. This lack of efficiency and organisation leaves victims without the support they deserve.
- Managing Registered Sex Offenders: Lincolnshire Police must do more to manage the risks posed by individuals on the sex offender register.
- Understanding Demand: The force’s understanding of demand across its services is insufficient, affecting its ability to meet community needs effectively.
- Strategic Planning: Lincolnshire Police lacks a comprehensive strategic plan, which impacts its ability to address future challenges and plan for growth.
In response to these findings, Lincolnshire Police has been placed into an intensive monitoring process known as Engage. This is designed to offer external support from agencies like the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, aimed at addressing these deficiencies and providing tailored assistance to help the force improve.
Acknowledging the Role of Underfunding in Police Performance
While Marc Jones admitted that Lincolnshire Police needs to improve in several areas, he also pointed out that much of the force’s struggles stem from financial constraints. He said, “The inspection process itself is flawed, in my opinion. HMIC inspects forces based on a standard that assumes they are properly funded and resourced.”
According to Jones, the HMICFRS evaluation does not take into account the financial challenges Lincolnshire Police faces compared to better-funded forces across the country. He likened it to comparing the performance of a Premier League football team to a lower-league team, which is a fundamentally unfair comparison. Despite operating with fewer resources, Lincolnshire Police has still managed to reduce overall crime by 5%, showing that the force is achieving results despite these constraints.
The Financial Struggles of Lincolnshire Police
In his comments, Marc Jones highlighted the pressing financial situation facing the police force, which is already struggling with a projected £57 million deficit over the next four years. In light of this, Jones and Chief Constable Paul Gibson have written to the Home Office, HMICFRS, and the College of Policing, requesting national support to address the systemic underfunding that has plagued Lincolnshire Police for many years.
- Budget Gap: The police force faces an impending 10% budget gap for the upcoming year, which could have dire consequences for its operations.
- Request for Support: Jones has been vocal in asking for a fair allocation of resources from the government to ensure Lincolnshire Police can continue to serve its communities effectively.
The Role of the Engage Process in Supporting Lincolnshire Police
The Engage process is an initiative that places special focus on forces facing severe challenges, particularly those struggling with financial difficulties or performance issues. Lincolnshire Police is now part of this initiative, which provides a platform for the force to collaborate with external bodies like the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council. These organisations will work closely with the force to develop a strategic plan and tackle the challenges it faces head-on.
Chief Constable Paul Gibson welcomed the Engage process, acknowledging the significant investment and transformation that Lincolnshire Police needs to undergo. He said, “I recognised that the force needed investment and transformation when I first joined as Chief Constable, and the Engage process facilitates the necessary collaboration with key stakeholders to drive improvements.”
However, Gibson also stated that not all of the findings in the HMICFRS report were accurate. While he agreed that improvements were needed in several areas, he insisted that many of the criticisms did not fully reflect the reality of the force’s operations. Despite this, he committed to making the necessary changes, particularly in the areas where progress was within the force’s control.
Moving Forward: The Need for Fair Funding and Strategic Changes
Both Marc Jones and Paul Gibson have made it clear that they are committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to secure the resources and strategic support necessary for Lincolnshire Police’s long-term sustainability. The force’s leaders believe that addressing the funding disparity will be critical to ensuring public safety and the effective policing of the county in the years to come.
The commitment to addressing structural underfunding is evident in the steps being taken by Lincolnshire’s police leadership. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will result in the financial support the force desperately needs.
Key Points to Take Away
- Lincolnshire Police’s performance has been scrutinised by HMICFRS, with key areas of concern including slow call response times and shortcomings in investigations.
- The underfunding of Lincolnshire Police is a central issue raised by Marc Jones, who believes the force has been unfairly judged compared to better-funded counterparts.
- The Engage process is now in place, offering support from external bodies to help the force address its challenges.
- Both Jones and Chief Constable Paul Gibson are seeking additional funding to help Lincolnshire Police close its £57 million budget gap and continue to serve its communities effectively.
It’s clear that Lincolnshire Police faces a difficult road ahead, but with the right support and sufficient resources, there is hope for meaningful improvements that will benefit the communities across the county.
Relevant Links for Further Reading
- Lincolnshire Police: Financial Challenges and Crime Reduction Efforts
- HMICFRS Reports: What They Mean for Police Forces
- Police Funding in the UK: A Look at Current Trends
- The Engage Process: Supporting Underfunded Police Forces
- The Impact of Underfunding on Local Policing
Photo credit: Lincolnshire Live
