Serious concerns have been raised about West Midlands Police, with the force found inadequate in three areas.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said it had concerns about how the police force – the country’s second-largest – investigates crime, protects vulnerable people and manages offenders and suspects.
It graded West Midlands Police’s performance as adequate in two areas, requires improvement in three areas and inadequate in three areas.
Because of its concerns, HMICFRS moved the force into special measures last month – a process which will provide additional scrutiny and support from across the policing sector to help West Midlands Police make improvements.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “I have serious concerns about how well West Midlands Police investigates crime, protects vulnerable people and manages offenders and suspects.
“We have highlighted these problems in previous inspection reports, but the force’s performance has declined.
“The force had a change in leadership in the year leading up to our inspection. They have implemented a robust performance framework to help make improvements.
“Most significantly, they have reviewed the force’s operating model and made rapid changes to it. I recognise the scale of the challenge senior leaders face in meeting demand and achieving sustainable improvements.”
The inspectorate did recognise that the West Midlands has high levels of deprivation, and that the force’s funding has been disproportionately affected compared to some other forces.
HMICFRS also noted that the force “needs to have enough resources to prevent crime and protect the public effectively”.
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West Midlands Police’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “I am pleased that HMICFRS has recognised the rapid action that we have taken and that it will take time to have the effect we want and that we are determined to deliver.
“It is also important they have acknowledged the scale of the challenge we face in securing the funding and resources we need to meet demand and prevent crime and protect the public effectively.
“We have been working very hard over the past 12 months to improve the force and we changed our operating model in April this year.
“We have already made substantial and sustained improvements and we look forward to engaging with HMICFRS in 2024.”
West Midland Police joins the Metropolitan Police in special measures. Devon and Cornwall Police were also placed in special measures last October, joining forces in Staffordshire and Wiltshire.