HM INSPECTORATE of Constabulary has noted \u201cserious concerns\u201d about the performance of South Yorkshire Police, the body\u2019s latest PEEL report has found.<\/p>\n
Problems with the force\u2019s ability to prevent crime and deal with anti-social behaviour were highlighted, and its understanding of the workforce\u2019s \u201ccapability and capacity\u201d came under fire in its third PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) assessment.<\/p>\n
Michael Cunningham, HM Inspector of Constabulary, said: \u201cThe changes the force made last year to the way it provides neighbourhood policing weakened its ability to tackle the threats facing the people of South Yorkshire effectively. Staff are regularly taken away from preventative neighbourhood work to cover more reactive duties.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that the Hillsborough inquests, continued calls for a public inquiry into the police response to the miners\u2019 strike at Orgreave and the implications from the Rotherham inquiry had created \u201csignificant challenges\u201d for the force.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police was assessed as \u201crequiring improvement\u201d across the three key areas; effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy.<\/p>\n
Mr Cunningham added: \u201cI am reassured that the force generally allocates crimes to investigators with the appropriate training and experience, and investigations of less complex crime are of an acceptable quality. However, it needs to be more consistent in how it supervises investigations, and there is a significant backlog of digital evidence to be examined.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, there was praise for the force\u2019s ability to tackle serious and organised crime.<\/p>\n
Mr Cunningham added: \u201cThe force has good processes for gathering intelligence and mapping organised crime groups, and it prioritises and tackles organised crime effectively. It also has effective measures for deterring people from becoming involved in organised criminality.\u201d<\/p>\n