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Notts Police moved out of special measures after inspectors find improvements

Nottinghamshire Police have been moved out of special measures after a watchdog said it had made improvements.

The force had been on an enhanced level of monitoring by the police inspectorate since March 2024 following concerns about how the force was investigating crime.

But on Thursday the policing inspectorate lifted the added measures, saying Notts police had improved how officers are supervised.

HM Inspector Roy Wilsher said: “We are reassured by the plans the police force has in place to continue making improvements, particularly in relation to crime investigation, leadership, force management and neighbourhood policing. We will continue to assess its progress to make sure the people of Nottinghamshire are getting the service they deserve.”

The monitoring is carried out by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

In an April update, the inspectorate had said the force was moving in the right direction, but still “had work to do”.

That month it closed concerns relating to managing performance and governance, and neighbourhood policing and preventing crime.

The monitoring process consists of two stages – ‘scan’ and ‘engage’. All police forces are in routine monitoring under the scan stage by default, but may be escalated to enhanced monitoring under the engage stage if they are not effectively addressing the inspectorate’s concerns.

Nottinghamshire Police was moved into engage on March 11 2024 – this was formally lifted on Thursday after concerns on management, supervision and effectiveness of investigations were also closed.

Temporary Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: “We took being placed in ‘engage’ very seriously and through Chief Constable Kate Meynell’s improvement plan, which she implemented and ensured we delivered against, we used this as an opportunity not only to deliver meaningful improvements that are embedded across our force, but to improve in all that we do.”

Notts Police and Crime Commissioner, Gary Godden added: “The next step is to keep up the pace and work toward Nottinghamshire Police becoming an outstanding force and supporting my Police and Crime Plan priorities –continuing to earn public trust and confidence by putting communities and victims first, strengthening partnership working and providing an effective and resilient policing service.”