Essex Police get excellent report on antisocial behaviour (From Echo)

Essex Police get excellent report on antisocial behaviour

10:28am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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Essex Police have received an excellent report card for the way it deals with antisocial behaviour.

The new report card system has been launched by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to show how the 43 forces fair across the board.

It led Denis O’Connor, the chief inspector of constabulary, to criticise the way most police forces record their incidents of antisocial behaviour.

He noted more than half of them do not have IT systems capable of automatically identifying repeat victims of antisocial behaviour when they call the police.

However, Essex Police’s switchboard automatically flags up if there have been similar complaints from an address in the past.

The force also received praise for its emphasis on frontline staff.

Zoe Billingham, inspector for Essex, said: “The force is performing very strongly in reducing crime rates, particularly for offences of violence and criminal damage.

“It also has a good record in solving violent crime, while its detection rates for burglary, car crime, and robbery are generally in line with those of its peers. The force is making good progress in improving public confidence and satisfaction in the way it deals with local concerns.”

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Bliss said: “Essex Police is really pleased with the result of the assessment by the inspectorate which has recognised the work we are doing to provide the public with the high quality of service they are entitled to.

“We view the launch of the Police Report Card as a positive step that helps to hold police forces to account for the service they are providing.”