Wiltshire Police needs to improve how it safeguards and protects
children, according to a new report.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue
Services (HMICFRS) found that officers and staff working on
child protection are committed and dedicated, and the force has
recognised the risk to children from online sexual abuse and
safeguards them effectively.
But the inspectorate said there are long delays in both gathering
digital evidence and in accessing third-party information, both
of which weaken investigations and support for children most in
need.
HMICFRS also found that there is a lack of specialist-trained
detectives and staff, so many officers tasked with child
protection investigations are inexperienced and have not been
given the training they need to effectively safeguard children.
HMICFRS said specific areas for the force to improve included:
- improving the capacity and capability of investigators and
supervisors to respond effectively to vulnerability;
- speaking to children, recording their behaviour and
demeanour, listening to their concerns and views, and using that
information to make decisions about their welfare;
- reducing investigation delays;
- supervising incidents and investigations more consistently to
make sure opportunities are pursued to help children; and
- making sure children in police detention are supported by
appropriate adults and have timely access to healthcare
professionals.
Earlier this year, the inspectorate moved Wiltshire Police into
its enhanced monitoring process, Engage, which provides
additional scrutiny and support.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams
said:
“Wiltshire Police has some areas of effective practice in child
protection, and there are dedicated officers and staff who are
committed to keeping children safe. But, overall, we found that
the force’s child protection arrangements weren’t consistently
providing a good enough response to effectively safeguard
children in Wiltshire.
“The force’s response to missing children isn’t good enough.
The way it assesses vulnerability isn’t always effective or
comprehensive, which means some crimes, abuse and child welfare
concerns are not being identified when they should be. Throughout
the force, officers do not always understand the importance of
speaking to children, listening to them, and recording their
views to inform the assessment of their needs.
“Encouragingly, the force has recruited to the full strength
that its budget allows and increased staffing levels in some
teams, such as the child abuse investigation team. But it
doesn’t have enough detectives or specialist trained staff in its
public protection department. Many frontline staff and
supervisors are very inexperienced, and cases are not effectively
supervised.
“We have made a series of recommendations which, if acted on,
will help improve outcomes for children in Wiltshire. We will
monitor the force closely to oversee its progress.”
