Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Police and Crime Commissioner which outlined the findings of the recent report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that had required a PCC comment, listed below:

·      National Child Protection Inspection- Post-inspection Review (for copy see file of minutes).

In reference to the sex offenders register, Councillor Boyes asked whether this had been updated. The Accountability and Scrutiny Officer confirmed that the Force engaged well with Visor and were compliant with its requirements.

Councillor Boyes raised an additional question regarding the protection of children who moved into the area, the Finance Officer confirmed he would report back to Members at the next meeting with regards to this.

Councillor Hovvels asked if a further report could be produced which identified the progress. The Accountability & Scrutiny Officer agreed to this.

Councillor Potts disputed the summary given of the Post Inspection Review and believed it did not accurately reflect the findings within the full report. He referred to the National Child Protection Inspection October 2019 and highlighted some of the concerns raised regarding the constabulary’s response to the incidents of children at risk of sexual exploitation, stating that police were not deployed straight away, recording and supervision were inconsistent and that the national child abuse image database was not used efficiently. He stated that out of the 20 child abuse cases that were audited, 9 were good, 16 required improvement and 4 were inadequate. He asked why no one had been held accountable for this and whether it was possible for an investigation to be requested to address these issues. 

The Chief Executive explained that an investigation would be an operational issue for the force.

The PCC clarified that accountability and executive meetings were to take place where the findings of the report would be raised and addressed.

The Accountability and Scrutiny Officer appreciated the detail surrounding the report but stated that it was difficult to find a balance with the summary.

Councillor Boyes thanked Councillor Potts for his research and agreed that the report needed to accurately reflect the findings.

In response, the Chief Executive advised that full documentation could be attached for future meetings if Members would find this useful but believed the summary of the report was easier to digest due to complexities of the issues.

Resolved: That the report be noted with the addition of an updated report actioned through the Police and Crime Commissioner Office.