Safety Through Strength Annual Report 2024-25 - Page 10

Priorities based on residents’ views

Over the past year, ahead of setting the priorities for my Police and Crime Plan for Lancashire I have engaged in extensive consultation with residents, community representatives, community safety partners and other stakeholder to ensure that the priorities I have set reflect what people want and expect from their Commissioner and from their local police force.

Over 6,000 residents have shared their views on crime and policing as part of this and I continue to join officers on the beat, speak to Lancashire’s MPs and local residents to ensure I have a clear picture of key issues across the county and utilise the tools available to me and my Office to address them in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Effective scrutiny

As the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), one of my key responsibilities is to hold the Chief Constable to account for the performance of the police force. This involves ensuring that the Chief Constable effectively implements the strategic priorities outlined in the Police and Crime Plan, manages resources efficiently, and maintains high standards of service delivery. I regularly review performance data, conduct meetings, and engage in constructive dialogue to address any issues or areas for improvement. By holding the Chief Constable accountable, I aim to ensure that the force operates transparently, effectively, and in alignment with the needs and expectations of the community. This accountability is crucial for maintaining public trust and confidence in our policing services.

• Attended four Police and Crime Panel meetings where members scrutinised and supported my work, alongside a Chief Executive Confirmation Hearing.
• 44 formal decisions published
• Four formal Accountability Board Meetings where I questioned and challenged the Chief Constable and Chief Officer Team.
• Four Joint Independent Audit Committee meetings, focusing on governance and risk management.
• Five Joint Independent Ethics Committee (JAEC) meetings focusing on ethical dilemmas and the implementation of the revised Code of Ethics
• Four Stop and Search, Use of Force and Continuous Improvement Panels, alongside three data sub-committee meetings
• Signed three collaboration agreements
• Responded to 70 Freedom of Information requests.
• Responded to 31 Subject Access Requests.
• Administered two Police Appeal Tribunals.
• 106 reviews in relation to police complaints.

Independent Custody Visitors

The Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme, managed by my Office, involves dedicated volunteers who conduct unannounced visits to police stations. Their primary role is to assess the well-being of individuals held in police custody, inspect the conditions of their confinement, and ensure their legal rights are upheld.

ICVs report any issues that arise during their visits or where they feel further action is required. Recommendations made by ICVs lead to improvements in the welfare and dignity of detainees. Any issues needing immediate attention are escalated to the Custody Sergeant at the time of the visit. Consequently, ICVs play a crucial role in maintaining public confidence in policing.

As of 31 March 2025, there were 27 active ICVs participating in the scheme across the county. Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, a total of 158 ICV visits were conducted across Lancashire’s four operational custody suites: Blackpool, Blackburn, Preston, and Lancaster. During this period, ICVs visited 1,302 detainees, actively monitoring their well-being and conditions throughout their time in custody.

Accountability Board

My Accountability Board forms a key component of my governance framework that enables me to hold the Chief Constable to account.

At the Accountability Board, I receive quarterly updates from the Chief Constable in relation the Constabulary’s performance across its portfolio, and their delivery against relevant aspects of the Police and Crime Plan. In addition, updates relating to (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services) HMICFRS Inspections/ recommendations, current and significant issues, and several specific reports are also received throughout the year.

Joint Independent Audit Committee

The Joint Independent Audit Committee (JIAC), which met 4 times during 2024/25, provides both the Constabulary and my office independent advice and oversight regarding the adequacy of internal control, financial and risk management. The Committee provide oversight of my functions concerning their efficiency and effectiveness, as well as those of the Constabulary. At this meeting, internal and external audit f indings are discussed to support compliance activity and good practice.

Joint Independent Ethics Committee

The Joint Independent Ethics Committee (JIEC) was established in May 2024, and has since met f ive times. It is responsible for providing independent and timely advice on moral and ethical dilemmas facing the Chief Constable and myself. Members of the Committee are responsible for supporting the implementation of the College of Policing Code of Ethics into the Constabulary and the OPCC and advise us on the progression of a transparent ethical framework. Members are also asked to consider ethical dilemmas to inform the ethical practice.

Joint Professional Standards Scrutiny Panel

The Joint Professional Standards Scrutiny Panel (JPSSP) was established by myself and Constabulary in July 2024 and is responsible for providing feedback relating to professional standards matters.

Throughout 2024/25, the Panel considered 10 misconduct cases in total and provided feedback.

Stop & Search, Use of Force and Continuous Improvement Panel

My Stop and Search, Use of Force and Continuous Improvement Panel enables scrutiny of Lancashire Constabulary’s use of stop and search and use of force powers. At the meeting, members are asked to review and provide feedback on body worn video footage of stop and search and use of force incidents.

Throughout 2024/25, the Panel met four times and considered 9 stop and search cases and 15 use of force cases in total, providing feedback.

Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel

My Office has now completed a full year of the Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel (CDSP). The Panel was created to enhance transparency and performance, thereby fostering trust and confidence in policing among ethnic minority and other communities. It aims to dispel myths surrounding detention and custody environments and seeks to reassure the public and other interested parties. The panel’s observations, feedback, and recommendations will facilitate continuous learning, improve police services, including training, and help identify best practices.

Complaints against the Chief Constable

I am responsible for addressing complaints, conduct matters, incidents involving death or serious injury, and non-police reform act misconduct or gross misconduct issues related to the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

In the 2024/25 period, seven complaints against the Chief Constable were reviewed.

One complaint was deemed to meet the criteria for referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). However, the IOPC did not consider it serious and returned it for local resolution in a reasonable and proportionate manner.

As a result, no allegations against the Chief Constable were upheld.

Force control room performance

Over the last year performance within the Force Control Room has increased significantly, alongside the time taken by officers to arrive on scene at incidents.

I welcomed news that between January 2024 to mid-November 2024, 94.4% of calls to 999 were answered within 10 seconds, with an abandonment rate of 0.2%. At the same time, 93% of calls to the non-emergency 101 number were answered by Lancashire Constabulary within 40 seconds, with a 1.4% abandonment rate.

This trend has since continued and more recent time to arrive data showed officers attended 97.7% of priority incidents within the expected service level.

The force control room also continued to see improvements, with abandonment of nonemergency 101 calls down to its lowest point of 0.5% of calls.

Pension forfeiture

I am committed to using every power available to me to hold officers accountable who abuse their position and damage the vital public trust in policing. One measure we can take is seizing an officer’s pension through pension forfeiture.

Police officers can have their pensions forfeited if they are convicted of a criminal offence connected to their service that could result in a serious loss of public confidence. For example, Darren Coathup, who was sentenced to two years in prison in February 2023 for abusing his position for a sexual purpose, had 65% of his pension forfeited for a period of five years once he becomes eligible to receive it. This decision was made by Commissioner Grunshaw following consultations with legal experts and the Anti-Corruption Unit.

I will always take steps to ensure that police officers who betray the trust of their colleagues and the people of Lancashire forfeit the maximum amount of their pension possible. We will take every available step to do so.