Police forces in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are struggling to keep up with the sheer volume of crimes they are tasked with investigating, a damning new report reveals. According to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), police are so overwhelmed that they lack the resources, time, and experience to investigate crimes properly, resulting in victims being failed and public trust in law enforcement eroding.
The report paints a worrying picture, revealing that the rate of positive outcomes where suspects are identified and face justice, has plummeted from 25% in 2014 to just 11% in 2024. This sharp decline reflects a broader crisis in the policing system, with forces stretched too thin to deal with common offences like assault, burglary, car theft, and shoplifting, the so-called “volume crimes.”
Despite some forces performing better than others, with the best forces achieving positive outcomes in 20% of cases, others are struggling with rates as low as 7%. Northern Ireland has fared better, with investment in investigative skills helping them achieve a rate of more than 30%.
One of the key issues highlighted in the report is the strain placed on police forces by increasing workloads. Since 2015, workloads have risen by 32%, while the number of police officers and staff has decreased, leading to an increase in the number of crimes per thousand of the population. This overwhelming demand leaves investigators feeling “embarrassed” by the service they provide, often being pulled from ongoing investigations to deal with new emergency calls.
Lee Freeman from HMICFRS stressed that no team spoken to during the inspection had sufficient resources, with officers under pressure and often unable to dedicate time to progressing ongoing cases. “There is much more forces could be doing to improve the experience of victims,” Freeman said.
The impact on victims is profound, with many left frustrated by the lack of updates and progress in their cases. In some instances, investigators only have two days out of every ten to progress ongoing cases, leaving victims in limbo. One investigator shared their frustration, saying, “Victims call for updates, and we can’t tell them anything. It’s embarrassing, really.”
The report also highlights the damage done by the Conservative government’s cuts to police numbers from 2010 onwards, followed by an increase in officers since 2018, but many of whom are inexperienced and poorly trained. This inexperience has led to further delays, with some officers being tasked with investigating crimes beyond their capabilities, such as complex fraud cases.
Katie Kempen, head of the charity Victim Support, echoed the report’s concerns, stating that these figures show victims are not receiving the justice they deserve. “If the public continue to report crimes without ever seeing this lead to a charge or conviction, they are going to lose faith in the criminal justice system,” she said. She also pointed to cuts in funding for victim support services, calling it “a criminal justice system in crisis.”
This report marks a stark reminder of the deep-rooted challenges facing police forces, and the pressing need for more resources, better training, and a stronger commitment to ensuring justice for victims.
