Force Reviews
01/02/2012
Reviews into the structure and working
arrangements of North Wales Police have shown that whilst many
aspects are working well, others are in need of further change.
Over recent months the Force has gone through
an unprecedented amount of change, reorganisation and restructuring
to meet the challenge of making budget savings of at least
£16m.
The biggest change came in May last year when
the Force was restructured.
Six months into the change a Post
Implementation Review was commissioned by the Chief Constable to
look specifically at the changes to local policing. The Review took
into account the views of 250 officers and staff who are directly
involved in service delivery.
Running alongside this was a review of the
Force's Senior Management Teams.
Chief Constable, Mark Polin, said: "Both
reviews have highlighted that many aspects of the new structures
and working arrangements are working well and are delivering real
operational benefits. However, there are also some aspects that are
not working as well as were intended and further changes are
necessary. In some cases these changes are minor ‘tweaks’ to the
existing arrangements, while in others more significant changes
have been recommended and accepted.
"One of the most significant changes is that
Area Superintendents have taken up post from today (Wednesday,
February 1). This is not a recreation of the old divisional system
and will not result in any additional costs. What it is about is
increasing accountability and responsibility and reinforcing our
relationships with our partners, so that together we can respond to
the recent rises in crime we have seen in North Wales."
From today Superintendent Jeremy Vaughan will
take command of Flintshire and Wrexham; Superintendent Peter
Newton, Gwynedd and Anglesey; and Temporary Superintendent Jane
Banham, Denbighshire and Conwy , until April when Superintendent
Andy Jenks-Gilbert will assume full time responsibility for this
role.
The post implementation review has also
revealed that elements of the new design make it difficult to
manage resources coherently, leading to a lack of flexibility in
responding dynamically, and that certain aspects of the design are
more difficult to manage in rural areas.
Mr Polin said: "One of the first tasks of Area
Superintendents will be to look at policing for the areas and put
forward proposals to improve local policing, with the same level of
resources, by the end of February. It was also agreed that there
will be some flexibility around shifts to ensure that local
deployment is best matched to meet local demand.
"We have faced some performance challenges
over the last year, but despite the recent increase in crime, we
have the seventh lowest rate of robbery in England and Wales and
the 10th lowest rate of burglary.
"We are committed to doing everything within
our power to prevent crime in our communities, but clearly with
over 130 fewer police officers and 112 fewer support staff, this
will be a real challenge and we need the support of local
people.
"Here are two ways people can help. Look
after your own and other people’s property. Over recent weeks in
one area alone there were 17 burglaries in houses which were left
insecure; people continue to buy cheap electronic equipment such as
lap tops and mobile phones from individuals without considering
where they came from; and many people are reluctant to come forward
with information which might help in bringing people to
justice.
"Don’t waste our time. We regularly have our
999 lines tied up by people who are not in an emergency situation.
Many could have dialed the 101 non emergency number, but others
should not have made the call at all.
"For example last week a 999 call came in from
someone wanting directions to a KFC; another 999 call was a request
for the telephone number for the local council as the caller had
lost their dog; and, perhaps the best of all, was the 999
call from a very irate gentleman who wanted to report that his home
phone line had been cut off for 2 days and that their service
provider had failed to fix the problem as promised. We are not a
restaurant guide, a telephone directory or Ofcom and, above all
else, using the 999 line in this way could put other people at
risk.
"Dealing with crimes which could have been
preventable and calls which are not appropriate ties up valuable
time and resources.
"We will continue to work with our partners
and the public to fight crime. The additional 101 Police Community
Support Officers, funded by the Welsh Government, will also soon be
making a difference within our communities."