Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard has welcomed His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) report published today on Bedfordshire Police’s Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy inspection (PEEL).
Bedfordshire Police was assessed as ‘good’ in recording crime, adequate across seven areas and ‘requiring improvement’ in investigating crime. It was assessed as ‘good’ for tackling serious crime in a separate inspection.
John said: “I welcome the report, and as an enthusiast for objective external inspections of all public services including policing, HMICFRS have found nothing that is a surprise to either me or the Chief Constable and that are not being addressed already.”
This inspection focused on plans and activities already in place before John Tizard was elected in May 2024.
John continued: “Although the report refers to some plans and activities in place when I was elected last May, its findings are aligned with the issues and challenges I have already identified for improvement.
“I know that there is much work underway to improve performance and I am confident that the Chief Constable has the plans and the drive continuous performance.
“I am the joint national lead for performance for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners so have seen all reports which have been thus far published so I understand the wider context of the inspection regime and am satisfied that Bedfordshire is a good place to make sustainable improvements.
“Indeed, I concur with HMICFRS that Bedfordshire Police is well led, and senior leaders have the support of officers and staff. These conditions are central for the improvements which are now required. This is why I extended the Chief Constable’s contract in November.
“My role is to hold the Chief Constable to account, and I will be scrutinising data and performance reports as he implements plans to address the report findings.”
John has said that many of the report’s recommendations already feature in the Police and Crime Plan, published in October 2024 and phase two of the plan for 2025-2028 will address all the reports’ findings.
He further commented: “The report complements my Police and Crime Plan and its missions, which I will use to drive change however, my mission for an excellent police service is about more the HMICFRS report. It is about legitimacy, public confidence, prevention, and responsiveness. It is about effective partnership with other agencies and the community.
“Through the mission boards I have already set up, I will be encouraging and persuading our public sector partners across the county to join us on our journey to make Bedfordshire safer and fairer.”