Force's crime prevention rated 'outstanding'

Merseyside Police has been praised for preventing crime, but inspectors said it must improve investigations and outcomes for victims.

Michelle Skeer, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said she was pleased with its performance in "keeping people safe, reducing crime and giving victims an effective service".

However she added: "I have concerns about how the force is investigating crime."

The force has received an "outstanding" rating for its preventing and deterring crime but its crime investigation "requires improvement".

It was also rated good for leadership and force management, using powers fairly and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Responding to the public, safeguarding, managing fraud and providing safe custody were all graded adequate.

No areas were graded inadequate.

Inspectors said the force had invested in neighbourhood policing and worked well with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and divert young people away from crime.

However, the report said further improvement was needed in investigations, victim outcomes, support for vulnerable victims, response policing and missing person investigations.

Chief Constable Rob Carden said the investigations grading was "disappointing", but said the force had already identified areas for improvement before the report was published.

He said solving crime had increased significantly and the force was now "one of the top three performing forces in the country for crime outcomes".

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said the report provided "transparency, accountability and independent scrutiny".

She said victims and vulnerable people "must remain at the heart of policing" and said she would focus on areas where inspectors said the force needed to improve.

Spurrell said she would continue to hold the chief constable and senior leadership team to account and seek evidence that improvements were being delivered and sustained.

The commissioner's office said the report had also recognised improvements in emergency call handling, with 91.5% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.