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Cleveland Police needs to urgently improve its response to children who are missing, and how it investigates online child sexual exploitation, the police inspectorate has said.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that Cleveland Police was inadequate in the two aforementioned areas following an inspection.
“Cleveland Police has worked hard over the years to improve how it safeguards vulnerable children and families. I commend officers and staff for their dedication and steadfastness in a demanding environment, but the force needs to do more to achieve consistently good outcomes.
“The force doesn’t have enough trained officers and staff to investigate reports of child abuse, neglect and exploitation. Also, although the force has worked hard to train its officers and staff, this training doesn’t always result in improving outcomes for children.
“Chief officers and senior leaders understand their statutory responsibilities to safeguard children and invest in partnership working. But it must effectively share relevant information with its safeguarding partners and improve how it assesses and responds to children at risk of, or harmed by, online exploitation.
“I will closely monitor progress within Cleveland Police over the coming months.”
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer.
HMICFRS said that Cleveland Police has already outlined how it intends to deal with the two causes of concern identified.
For more information, read the inspectorate’s full report.
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