Cleveland Police has received an overall ‘good’ rating in their latest HMICFRS PEEL inspection, marking three tiers of substantial progress from their previous ‘inadequate’ status. MPs and the Police and Crime Commissioner have welcomed this progress, recognising significant improvements while acknowledging the work still to be done.
The HMICFRS PEEL inspection assesses police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy, providing a comprehensive overview of force performance.
Since taking office, the Labour Government has prioritised police and community safety, investing significantly in additional police officers, including 40 new neighbourhood officers specifically for Cleveland. The Government has also made substantial investments in our courts and prisons, and notably overturned the controversial £200 limit amnesty on theft.
Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, praised the results:
“I warmly welcome this impressive turnaround by Cleveland Police. Achieving a ‘good’ rating and being amongst the top ten performing forces in the country after previous ‘inadequate’ assessments is a testament to the determination, professionalism, and hard work of officers and staff. They deserve great credit for their commitment and dedication to righting the ship and making our communities safer.
“This milestone marks the start of a journey rather than its completion. As MPs, working closely with our Labour Government and the Police and Crime Commissioner, we will continue to support and challenge Cleveland Police to achieve even greater improvements. We will not rest until everyone feels genuinely safe in our communities and town centres. The 23% decrease in residential burglary is a clear example of positive progress – we want to see more results like this.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said:
“I’m delighted that the scale and impact of Cleveland Police’s improvement has been recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate in their latest report on the force’s performance.
“For a force previously graded as ‘inadequate’ in all areas of policing, there now isn’t a single ‘inadequate’ grading in this report – an outstanding achievement for all involved.
“Cleveland Police is now independently graded as ‘good’ in most areas, with dramatic leaps in the gradings around building a strong workforce and preventing crime and antisocial behaviour.
“The scale of the force’s transformation is testament to the leadership and vision of Chief Constable Mark Webster. We’re privileged that he chose to spend the latter years of his 33-year career providing much-needed stability, direction and professionalism to Cleveland Police.
“And I thank the force’s hardworking officers, staff and volunteers for their dedicated service. Despite high demand and resourcing challenges, they make an effort every day to protect our communities from harm.”
Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said:
“This report reflects just how far Cleveland Police has come in a short space of time. To move from a position of multiple ‘inadequate’ ratings to being recognised as one of the most improved forces in the country is a huge step forward – and a credit to the hardworking officers, staff and volunteers who serve our communities under real pressure.
“It’s particularly welcome to see improvement in preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, which remain top concerns for people across East Cleveland and Middlesbrough’s estates. Having pushed for investment in local policing and secured additional funding for Cleveland Police last year, I’ll keep working to make sure that support continues.
“Mark Webster has played a crucial role in this turnaround, and I want to thank him for his steady leadership. As a new Chief Constable is appointed, it’s vital that momentum is not lost – local people deserve a force they can trust, that protects them, and that keeps getting better.”
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