Audit Commission

Warwickshire Police Authority is 'performing adequately', according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

On a scale from one to four, the joint inspection team assessed the Authority's performance as 'two', which represents adequate performance.

The report shows that the Authority has given Warwickshire's Chief Constable a clear direction on the medium-term future of the county's police force. Collaboration is encouraged and policing the county on a reduced budget is a priority. The way the Authority engages with the public is adequate and improving. Financial planning and management are strong, but getting value for money and financial sustainability are its biggest challenges for the immediate future.

The Audit Commission's Gary Hammersley, spokesperson for the joint inspection team, said:

'The Police Authority for Warwickshire is performing adequately but there is room for improvement. All the Authority's elected members, as well as its staff, take a keen interest in the way that policing works in the county. We have made some suggestions for how they could work even better. The Authority faces big financial challenges but has made a good start in preparing for them.'

Strengths include:

• The standard of policing has improved since 2006 and the county is a relatively safe place to live
• The Authority gives clear direction to the Chief Constable. Relationships between the Authority and the Force are constructive and based on mutual respect
• All members of the Authority have a well-defined role
• The Authority encourages collaboration with a range of partners and organisations
• The Authority has a good understanding of the cost of policing the county and is actively supporting programmes designed to increase value for money

Areas for improvement include:

• All members of the Authority need a broader understanding of local issues and needs so that progress on diversity and equality can be improved
• The way the Authority monitors the Force's performance is adequate but there are clear opportunities for further development
• Targets need to be sufficiently ambitious to deliver both year-on-year improvement and to close the gap between Warwickshire Police and better-performing forces
• Making better use of available community information to inform planning and decision making

Following today's report, Warwickshire Police Authority will plan what it needs to do to improve its services to meet the changing needs of its communities.

Copies of the report are available from Warwickshire Police Authority or from the Audit Commission website and the HMIC website

Notes to editors

1. Warwickshire Police Authority is an independent body responsible for overseeing the county's police force. It represents the community and, in partnership with the Chief Constable, ensures that an efficient and effective policing service is provided to the people of Warwickshire.
2. Police authority inspection provides a simple report in a straightforward way about how well each police authority is performing. It encourages police authorities to focus on continuous improvement and provides a robust independent challenge to stimulate positive change. Ultimately it is about working to improve the quality of services police authorities provide to local people.
3. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
4. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
5. As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
6. HMIC is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing in the public interest and rigorously examines the effectiveness of police forces and authorities to tackle crime and terrorism, improve criminal justice and raise confidence. For further information about HMIC: www.hmic.gov.uk

For more information, contact Eric Ludlow Regional Communications Manager at the Audit Commission on 0844 798 4183 or e-ludlow@audit-commission.gov.uk.