Majority of police authorities failing to set local priorities, say inspectors

Two-thirds of police authorities in England and Wales are failing to identify and deliver policing priorities for their areas according to a joint report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), the Audit Commission and the Wales Audit Office.

The report's findings are based on inspections of ten of the largest police authorities – which account for 44% of total police spending - by the HMIC the Audit Commission and the Wales Audit Office. Authorities were evaluated against four themes: setting strategic direction and priorities; scrutinising performance outcomes; achieving results through community engagement and partnerships; and ensuring value for money and productivity.

In the first of these, inspectors found that only three of the 10 authorities were satisfactorily developing effective long-term strategies for their police forces or themselves, which was preventing them from identifying and delivering local policing priorities.

The report, entitled Learning Lessons, urged police authorities to focus their time and effort in ways which will make the biggest difference to the way that the police serve their communities.

H.M. Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O'Connor, said: "Police authorities must adapt to the demands of policing in the 21st century. They are being drawn in many directions. Given these pressures, they must focus to exercise effective influence on behalf of the public. They can do this by concentrating on setting the right direction for the public and making sure that the money available is well spent on their behalf.

“In tough times, they should be well placed to judge public sentiment and need, and lead on those issues. Police authorities must demonstrate to the public that taxpayers' money is well spent and devoted to the priorities that matter most to them. Their success in forging a strategic role and scrutinising performance should not be dependent on the leadership of individuals but should be part of the make-up of the organisation."

The inspectors also found that most authorities do not have a clear enough focus on how forces provide value for money and that authorities need to work more closely with local partners to deliver improved outcomes for the public. The report recommended that police authorities should benchmark their force performance and spend to that of other forces to ensure that they are providing a quality service

However, the report did compliment the inspected police authorities for their effectiveness in in influencing annual budgets and funding and consulting and engaging with the public to understand local concerns. Inspectors also found that police authorities had a good understanding of the Policing Pledge and single confidence target.

Chairman of the Audit Commission, Michael O'Higgins, said: "A clear theme running through these reports is the challenge for police authorities to hold forces to account for improving value for money. This is particularly important when all public services are expected to do more for less. Police authorities play a vital role in securing efficient and effective policing, but they must focus their efforts on their governance role to ensure that forces deliver for local people."

The ten police authorities inspected were the Metropolitan Police Authority, Avon & Somerset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Gwent.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.