South Yorkshire: Police force praised by inspectors

South Yorkshire Police has been praised by inspectors for new plans to achieve budget cuts and cut crime.
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The force was criticised by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) last year for failing to slash its costs in line with government funding cuts.

But following a re-inspection last autumn, HMIC praised South Yorkshire Police and said crime had fallen by 1.8 per cent and house burglaries were down seven per cent.

HMIC says the force has ‘made considerable progress’ in addressing previous concerns voiced by HMIC about operating within reduced budgets, and that it has ‘a clear vision’ for the future operating model of policing.

Chief constable David Crompton said: “When we were originally visited by HMIC in the spring of 2013, its inspectors expressed concern that we had not done enough to close the funding gap. They also said they were worried about our performance on reducing crime and had not done enough to review and restructure how we operated.”

“It is a huge tribute to the force that, following a re-inspection carried out in the autumn, we have now received what is a highly complimentary report.”

“Since the beginning of October South Yorkshire Police has reduced burglary by over 10 per cent, which represents hundreds fewer victims, and is likely to be one of the highest reductions in burglary of any force in the country over the period.”

“To have achieved such a turn round in view from HMIC is to the credit of the hard work, professionalism and total commitment of the entire force.”