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Jo Coles - York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Jo Coles - North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Home - News - Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe Congratulates North Yorkshire Police as Cause for Concern lifted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate

6 December, 2023

Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe Congratulates North Yorkshire Police as Cause for Concern lifted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate

To see the single cause for concern removed just 12-months on from the initial inspection is a tremendous achievement, and testament to the hard work of both Chief Constable Lisa Winward and her whole team, and the effectiveness of public oversight.
Today (6 December 2023), Commissioner Zoë  is delighted to announce that the cause of concern identified by His Majesty’s Inspectorate has now been resolved.

In October 2022, North Yorkshire Police were applied with an official Cause for Concern following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services.

As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoë Metcalfe was clear in her position that scrutiny activity over North Yorkshire Police would need to be intensified, with Chief Officers regularly held to account and their progress measured.

To this end, the Commissioner’s Office introduced revamped Online Public Meetings, where the public would be able to hear directly from the Commissioner as she performed her vital oversight role, alongside existing executive boards and scrutiny panels.

The Commissioner was also clear in her expectation that by October 2023, one year on from the initial inspection, overall gradings would need to be improved.

The report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate noted the improved approach to performance management, and the successful implementation of a new workforce plan in informing recruiting practices and identify need.

While there is still more work to do, considerable progress has been made, with a noted improvement to response times to calls from the public and the performance of the Force Control Room.

Zoë Metcalfe, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said:

“To see the single cause for concern removed just 12-months on from the initial inspection is a tremendous achievement, and testament to the hard work of both Chief Constable Lisa Winward and her whole team, and the effectiveness of public oversight.

“It is fantastic that the clear improvement plan put in place following the initial inspection last year has led to genuine, embedded and measurable progress in keeping the public being safe and feeling safe.”