Police in England and Wales Slammed for Failing Victims and Public Trust
Police forces across England and Wales are still falling short, letting down too many crime victims and missing the mark on basic duties, warns His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke. Despite efforts to rebuild trust, the public’s expectations remain unmet.
‘Unjustifiable’ Inconsistencies and Calls for Urgent Reform
In his latest annual report, Cooke blasted the police for “unjustifiable” inconsistencies in how forces respond to the public and investigate crimes. He warned that without urgent reform to the criminal justice system, victims will continue to struggle to get justice.
“The police service in England and Wales is an institution that we, as members of the public, should be able to be proud of,” Cooke said. “While the vast majority of officers show dedication and professionalism, public approval and respect have been damaged in recent years.”
Crime Trends, Workforce Struggles and Diversity Gaps
Cooke’s State of Policing 2023 report reveals that although overall crime is on a long-term decline, serious offences like violence against women and girls remain alarmingly high.
With police numbers up to 147,430—the highest on record—workloads leave many officers feeling undervalued. The force is one-third female and just 8.4% from ethnic minorities, leading Cooke to praise government recruitment but insist much more needs to be done to diversify.
Fresh Funding Demands and New Powers for Oversight
Looking ahead, Cooke urges the government to scrap fixed recruitment targets. He calls the current funding formula “outdated and unfair,” pushing for cash to go where it’s needed most and for multi-year settlements—including a big boost in capital funds for fleet, estates, and tech.
The inspectorate also wants stronger powers to intervene when police or fire services ignore recommendations, which would require new laws. Finally, Cooke pressed for a funding boost to better reflect the inspectorate’s workload.
The full State of Policing 2023 report is available for public reading.
