North Wales Police Is Committed To Child Protection According To Hmicfrs

North Wales Police Is Committed To Child Protection According To Hmicfrs


Friday 29th Mar 2024


The inspection into North Wales Police has revealed that the force is doing a good job at protecting children from harm.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspected how the force protects children and investigates reports of child abuse. It found that the force is performing to a generally good standard with respect to child protection and safeguarding.

The report identified that the force has effective working arrangements with partner agencies. That control room staff conduct a thorough search of systems for relevant information, which is then shared with frontline response officers to help them make better decisions about the best way to protect children, and good investigations are conducted by specialist officers.

The HMICFRS did also identify some areas for improvement, including the practices it uses to manage those who pose a risk to children.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “Child protection work is one of the most important duties any force carries out. It is crucial that police forces identify children who are at risk of harm and intervene in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

“I am therefore pleased overall with the results of our inspection into North Wales Police, which revealed that the force is doing a good job at protecting children from harm.”

“What really came across during our inspection was the genuine commitment to child protection and safeguarding.  We saw this commitment at all levels, from the force’s senior leadership to frontline officers and support staff.”

Responding to the findings, Detective Superintendent Gareth Evans: “We welcome the scrutiny of HMICFRS in this area of work which is of such importance to us and our communities.  It is reassuring that our ability to immediately safeguard children in partnership with other agencies has been highlighted and no cases have been identified where we have failed to prevent someone being harmed.”

“As is the case with all forces that have been inspected, there are areas for improvement. We accept these and will work with HMICFRS as a critical friend to improve.”

“This area of police work has seen large increases in demand nationally since 2012 which has coincided with austerity and seen our resources stretched. North Wales Police are now capitalising on the current national funding increase to reconsider our resourcing across all areas in line with the threat risk and harm. Child protection sits clearly within the force priorities at the top of this list and we anticipate being able to invest in this area to improve.”