Police Commissioner responds to latest HMICFRS assessment of Merseyside Police
07.07.26 - Merseyside
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner has responded to the publication of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) assessment of Merseyside Police for 2025-27.
The inspection assessed Merseyside Police across nine areas of policing and awarded the following grades:
- Leadership and Force Management – Good.
- Attracting, Developing and Retaining the Workforce and Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace – Good.
- Using Powers Fairly, Appropriately and with Justification – Good.
- Preventing and Deterring Crime, Antisocial Behaviour and Reducing Vulnerability – Outstanding.
- Responding to the Public – Adequate.
- Investigating Crime – Requires Improvement.
- Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk of Harm – Adequate.
- Managing Fraud – Adequate.
- Providing a Safe and Lawful Custody Environment – Adequate.
No areas were graded Inadequate.
Merseyside Police’s strongest area was Preventing and Deterring Crime, Antisocial Behaviour and Reducing Vulnerability, for which the force received an Outstanding grading. Inspectors highlighted the force’s investment in neighbourhood policing, partnership working to tackle antisocial behaviour and vulnerability, effective problem-solving activity and innovative diversionary programmes for young people. HMICFRS also identified a Promising Practice for the No Comment pathway, delivered with Merseyside Youth Justice Services and the Violence Reduction Partnership.
The report also recognises improvements in leadership, prevention and safeguarding since the previous inspection. HMICFRS noted improvements in governance, safeguarding arrangements, Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme processes and emergency call handling. The previous Area for Improvement relating to emergency call answering has now been closed, with inspectors finding that 91.5% of 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds, exceeding the national standard.
However, the report identifies several areas where further improvement is required. These include crime investigations, outcomes for victims, support for vulnerable victims, response policing, missing person investigations, identifying fraud-related calls, recording the use of force and communication within custody services.
HMICFRS also identified concerns regarding investigative workloads, supervision and support for trainee investigators, while the Area for Improvement relating to victim outcomes remains open.
Following publication of the PEEL Assessment, Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I welcome the publication of HMICFRS’s latest PEEL inspection report and the transparency, accountability and independent scrutiny that this process provides.
“It is important that the public can see both where their police force is performing well and where further improvement is required. I would like to thank Merseyside Police officers, staff and volunteers for the professional and constructive way they engaged with inspectors throughout the assessment process.
“While the report identifies a number of strengths, my focus is on the areas where HMICFRS has concluded the force must do better, particularly in relation to investigations, victim outcomes, response policing and aspects of safeguarding.
“Victims of crime and vulnerable people must remain at the heart of policing. They have the right to be listened to, supported with compassion and treated fairly throughout their journey through the criminal justice system. They must also have confidence that crimes reported to the police will be investigated thoroughly and effectively, and that those most at risk of harm will receive the protection and support they need.
“The findings relating to investigations, outcomes for victims, safeguarding and the force’s response to the public are therefore matters I will be paying particularly close attention to. Through my regular public scrutiny meetings, I will continue to hold the Chief Constable and his senior leadership team to account on behalf of the public and seek clear evidence that improvements are being delivered, embedded and sustained.
“I am reassured that many of the challenges highlighted by inspectors had already been identified by the force and that action was already underway through the Chief Constable’s new operating model and force strategy. The report recognises progress in areas including leadership, prevention, safeguarding and emergency call handling. However, the people of Merseyside rightly expect the highest standards from their police service, and I will continue to monitor progress closely to ensure the recommendations set out by HMICFRS are fully addressed.
“As Police Commissioner, I will continue to hold the Chief Constable and his senior leadership team to account for delivering meaningful and measurable improvements, particularly in those areas identified by inspectors as requiring further attention.
“At the same time, it is important to recognise the positive findings within the report. The Outstanding grading for preventing and deterring crime, antisocial behaviour and reducing vulnerability reflects the force’s continued investment in neighbourhood policing, prevention and partnership working. I am particularly pleased to see recognition of initiatives such as the No Comment pathway, She Inspires and Operation Prospect, which are helping to divert young people away from crime and exploitation and create better opportunities for the future.
“That Outstanding grading is also a reflection of the professionalism, commitment and hard work of Merseyside Police officers, staff and volunteers. They should be proud that inspectors have recognised the force’s dedication to neighbourhood policing, early intervention and protecting communities.
“While there is still work to do to address the areas identified for improvement, these findings are testament to the vital contribution they make every day in supporting victims, tackling crime, protecting vulnerable people and maintaining public confidence in policing.”
The full inspection report and those of the other fire and rescue services inspected so far are available on the HMICFRS website: