Police praised for money management

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary has praised South Yorkshire Police for meeting the financial challenges facing budgets and for reducing crime.

HMIC said South Yorkshire has “made considerable progress” in addressing previous concerns voiced about operating within reduced budgets.

It said the force had a “clear vision” for the future operating model of policing the county and it applauded “very welcome early improvements” in performance.

The comments come in a report from the Government watchdog following a re-inspection of the force conducted in the autumn.

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 ten pet 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.”

In a letter sent to the force, HMIC said: “During the re-inspection you were able to demonstrate that you had made considerable progress in addressing the concerns identified in our earlier inspection.

“You were able to set out plans to close the previously identified spending gap, had a clear vision of the future operating model… and were progressing work to move the force to this new model.

“In addition, you have been able to achieve very welcome early improvements in performance and were confident that these would be built on.”