North East police forces win praise in new study

Mar 11 2010 by Tom Mullen, The Journal

NORTH East police forces have emerged favourably from a snapshot survey of their performance, although one recorded the second worst crime rate for serious sex offences.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary rated Northumbria Police with the worrying figure in a study examining every police force in England and Wales.

The survey, which drew on crime figures from the last tax year, revealed a “risk rate” of 0.93 per 1,000 people – second only to Leicestershire Constabulary which had a rate of 0.95.

However, on the whole both Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary were praised by the study, which also looked at areas such as solving crime, reducing road deaths, meeting standards and value for money.

Northumbria Police was rated among the highest in the country, ranked “1” on a scale of 1-6, and was given only one “poor” rating, on the levels of satisfaction among the force area’s black and ethnic minority communities. The force was rated as “excellent” on reducing gun and knife crime, and “good” on solving serious sexual offences and reducing road deaths.

Durham Constabulary, was ranked “2”, with the force receiving good and excellent ratings for reducing crime, levels of public confidence and satisfaction.

Roger Baker, Her Majesty’s Inspector for the two forces, said: “Northumbria remains one of the highest performing forces in the UK, with an enviable record in reducing and solving crime.