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Humberside 'worst police force' Humberside 'worst police force'
(40 minutes later)
Humberside and Northamptonshire are among the worst performing police forces in England and Wales, according to Home Office figures.Humberside and Northamptonshire are among the worst performing police forces in England and Wales, according to Home Office figures.
Humberside was also one of the worst last year but had improved since.Humberside was also one of the worst last year but had improved since.
The best performing forces included Staffordshire and Northumbria, while the Metropolitan Police improved.The best performing forces included Staffordshire and Northumbria, while the Metropolitan Police improved.
All 43 police forces were assessed in seven categories including reducing crime, investigating crime, promoting safety and providing assistance.All 43 police forces were assessed in seven categories including reducing crime, investigating crime, promoting safety and providing assistance.
READ THE REPORT Police performance assessments 2005/06 [1.1MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE REPORT Police performance assessments 2005/06 [1.1MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The other categories were citizen focus, which included community confidence in the police, resource use and local policing.The other categories were citizen focus, which included community confidence in the police, resource use and local policing.
They were rated either excellent, good, fair or poor.They were rated either excellent, good, fair or poor.
But the Home Office resisted publishing a league table, instead preferring to compare only forces of comparable size.But the Home Office resisted publishing a league table, instead preferring to compare only forces of comparable size.
Tony McNulty, the minister in charge of policing, said it would be like comparing Liverpool FC with Accrington Stanley.Tony McNulty, the minister in charge of policing, said it would be like comparing Liverpool FC with Accrington Stanley.
BEST AND WORST WORST: Humberside, Northants, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Cleveland, WarwickshireBEST: Staffordshire, Northumbria, City of London, Dorset, Dyfed-Powys, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, North Wales, Surrey, West Yorkshire See the resultsBEST AND WORST WORST: Humberside, Northants, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Cleveland, WarwickshireBEST: Staffordshire, Northumbria, City of London, Dorset, Dyfed-Powys, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, North Wales, Surrey, West Yorkshire See the results
He said the three worst performing forces were receiving special assistance and were going in the right direction.He said the three worst performing forces were receiving special assistance and were going in the right direction.
"There's still much to be done but they've made huge improvements and should be congratulated for it.""There's still much to be done but they've made huge improvements and should be congratulated for it."
Mr McNulty denied the proposal to reorganise the police forces, which was later abandoned, had had any negative impact on performance.Mr McNulty denied the proposal to reorganise the police forces, which was later abandoned, had had any negative impact on performance.
'Better protection''Better protection'
In the last 15 years, crime in the Northumbria Police area has dropped by almost 40%.In the last 15 years, crime in the Northumbria Police area has dropped by almost 40%.
The force's Chief Constable Mike Craik said the key was neighbourhood policing.The force's Chief Constable Mike Craik said the key was neighbourhood policing.
"Crime happens in neighbourhoods and that's where the answers lie," he said."Crime happens in neighbourhoods and that's where the answers lie," he said.
Community policing is hailed as a key to successCommunity policing is hailed as a key to success
"We work with communities in a structured way to get to the root causes of crime and find solutions which prevent and detect offences.""We work with communities in a structured way to get to the root causes of crime and find solutions which prevent and detect offences."
Bob Jones, chairman of the Association of Police Authorities, said overall there were more excellent grades this year than last and fewer poor grades.Bob Jones, chairman of the Association of Police Authorities, said overall there were more excellent grades this year than last and fewer poor grades.
"Overall police performance has shown steady progress - which means an improved service for local people," he said."Overall police performance has shown steady progress - which means an improved service for local people," he said.
"However, police authorities will want to work closely with all forces where they have room for improvement to enable them to advance standards yet further.""However, police authorities will want to work closely with all forces where they have room for improvement to enable them to advance standards yet further."
The report showed 1% more resources were spent on frontline policing, compared with the previous 12 months.The report showed 1% more resources were spent on frontline policing, compared with the previous 12 months.
It said: "While the results show a slight improvement, from 62.3% in 2004/05 to 63.2% in 2005/06, this is equivalent to an additional 1,186 full-time officers carrying out front line duties."It said: "While the results show a slight improvement, from 62.3% in 2004/05 to 63.2% in 2005/06, this is equivalent to an additional 1,186 full-time officers carrying out front line duties."