His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has judged West Mercia Police’s safeguarding response as “inadequate”. The inspectorate issued an accelerated cause of concern after finding the force had failed to improve how it manages safeguarding referrals, despite earlier recommendations.
Backlogs in processing referrals have grown significantly, from 1,023 cases in December 2024 to 2,828 by September 2025, leading to delays in risk assessments, including high-risk cases. HMICFRS said the force lacks the necessary processes, training, and capacity to handle safeguarding effectively and has urged immediate changes.
Deputy Chief Constable Damian Barratt acknowledged the problem but stressed that urgent cases continue to be prioritised. He said measures are underway, including consolidating safeguarding teams into a single unit, deploying extra officers to tackle the backlog, and introducing new technology. However, he noted budget constraints have slowed progress.
HMICFRS has recommended governance reforms, capacity reviews, and improved training to ensure timely safeguarding referrals.
Full article: BBC News – Police force safeguarding response is ‘inadequate’
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