Herts Police rated ‘Outstanding’ for financial management

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s Police Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimacy (PEEL) report, published on Tuesday (October 20), commended the force for its sustainable short and long-term financial footing.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd predicted this would allow the force to make the financial cut-backs demanded by the government without affecting their ability to fight crime.

He said: “I am delighted that the PEEL report recognises our strong track record of rigorous and effective financial management.

“It confirms that we are in a good position to meet the government’s new savings targets without compromising our effectiveness or making the big staffing cuts contemplated by other forces. In fact, the report confirms that we are expecting to increase officer numbers by two per cent by 2018 against a national picture of a six per cent reduction.

“It also praises our forward-planning and flexibility and how we have been able to invest in training, new technology and resources to ensure officers and staff are skilled and efficient.”

Chief Constable Andy Bliss added: “This is a good report that reflects the focus that all constabulary officers and staff place on providing the highest quality policing possible by making the best use of the resources available to us.

“The fact that we have been independently judged as ‘Outstanding’ for our planning to ensure that our crime-fighting ability remains sustainable for the future is what really counts for us and for the public.”