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Strathclyde Police: Primary Inspection 2000

Executive Summary

With 7,116 police officers and 2,111 support staff Strathclyde Police is the second largest Force in Great Britain and, by far, the largest in Scotland. Of the 8 Scottish forces Strathclyde has 45.7% of the total staff complement and 47.2% of the recorded crime.

The Strathclyde Police Force area is probably more diverse than any in Great Britain, thus providing a singular challenge for the leadership and management of the Force. The Chief Constable, Mr John Orr, has been in post since January 1996 and has signalled his intention to retire in June 2001. His energy, commitment and direct style of leadership have been key factors in shaping the direction and significant achievements of the Force.

On the crime front Strathclyde's reported results are impressive. With the exception of 1998-99 total recorded crime has declined each year from 1995-96 and is currently down 7.8% on the previous 4-year average, a drop of over 35,000 crimes. The detection rate for all recorded crime has risen each year from 1995-96 to stand at 43.4%.

For 2 specific crimes, housebreaking and motor vehicle theft, not only have the numbers recorded reduced by 17.5% against the previous 4-year average but detection rates have also risen. Some under recording of crime was identified.

The "Spotlight" initiative to tackle crime problems can be credited with 3 particular benefits. It has delivered a high visibility uniform presence (a consistent public requirement), it has enhanced operational focus (improved tasking and co-ordination) and it has contributed to the downward trend of specific crimes. "Spotlight" has helped provide significant performance improvements for the Force. The underlying philosophy and practice has been successfully absorbed into main stream policing. It consumes considerable resources and while it has developed year on year some consideration about its future is necessary.

A particular strength of the Force is the significant effort that has been made to liaise with the 12 constituent local councils that comprise the Strathclyde Police area. Signalled and led from the top the intention and practice was the subject of considerable supportive comment. The change from a 15 to 9 division structure, a challenging step, has advanced local partnership working which was already good. Partnership is spread across a wide range of activity.

There are areas where HMIC makes comment with a view to securing improvement and these include the following:

• Need for significant investment in information technology
• enhanced activity analysis of regular demands
• improved monitoring of equal opportunities issues
• more costing of activity
• further civilianisation in some areas
• greater co-ordination of performance information
• further focus on crime recording practices.

Collectively the recommendations and suggestions made by HMIC are designed to contribute to the drive the Force is making for continuous improvement. In terms of section 33(3) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 the Force was found to be efficient and effective.

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