Imagine being tasked with investigating nearly 30 crimes at once. Overwhelming, right? Well, for some officers in Bedfordshire Police, that’s the reality. A new report has revealed that the force is critically short on detectives leaving crimes in the hands of overburdened and, in some cases, inexperienced officers.
The Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) report found that while the force had 245 trained detectives in March 2024, it actually needed 412, a staggering shortfall of 167. The result? A bottleneck in investigations, officers stretched thin, and cases piling up faster than they can be resolved.
Crimes Left Without Justice
One of the most damning findings of the report was that Bedfordshire Police’s approach to crime investigation “requires improvement.” A significant number of serious and complex cases are being handled by officers who haven’t yet completed detective training, placing a heavy strain on the workforce.
At present, only 23 officers are being trained as detectives nowhere near enough to bridge the gap.
The consequences of this shortage are stark: between April 2023 and March 2024, only 7.8% of victim-based crimes led to a “brought to justice” outcome, one of the lowest rates compared to other forces across England and Wales.
A Force Under Scrutiny
While crime investigations took the hardest hit, the force was also told to improve how it records antisocial behaviour, rape crimes, and equality data. However, it wasn’t all bad news. The report commended Bedfordshire Police for improving its call response times, particularly for emergency 999 and non-emergency 101 calls.
Despite these improvements, the force was criticised for not always providing victims with crime scene preservation advice, something that could have a direct impact on the success of an investigation.
“I was disappointed to see that it was still not giving callers appropriate crime scene preservation advice,” said Roy Wilsher, HM Inspector of Constabulary. “This will negatively affect investigations. It is essential that the force improves in this area.”
Fighting Against the Odds
Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic, highlighting that efforts were already underway to turn things around.
“This report makes clear that Bedfordshire is a well-led force which is on the front foot despite our financial challenges,” he said.
He pointed out that progress had already been made in key areas since the inspection and reassured the public that the force remains committed to delivering the best service possible.
Bedfordshire Police did receive positive recognition for engaging with young people about knife crime and tackling male violence against women showing that even amidst operational struggles, important community work continues.
The Road Ahead
The findings of the report make it clear that Bedfordshire Police faces significant hurdles, particularly in filling detective roles and improving crime investigations. However, with an action plan in place and inspectors closely monitoring progress, the force has an opportunity to turn the tide.
For now, though, the shortage of detectives remains a major concern, one that could impact justice for victims and public confidence in policing.
