Cambridgeshire Police has been criticised for the way it manages the public and the risks posed by sex offenders, according to a new report

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) rated the force as ‘inadequate’ for 'managing offenders' and 'responding to the public' in its latest report. 

Covering 2023 to 2025, the police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy report concluded the force ‘requires improvement’ in the category of ‘leadership and force management’.

The report said: “We found that callers abandon one in three 101 calls. But personnel didn’t have the information needed to understand why this figure was so high. The constabulary is looking to improve its telephone data to deal with this.

“In July 2023, we found that the paedophile online investigation team had large backlogs. This meant it had many children in need of safeguarding. The paedophile online investigation team is now completing work to reduce backlogs.”

But while inspectors said 999 and 101 calls should be answered quicker, the report praised the force in other areas.

Cambridgeshire Police was rated as outstanding in ‘police power and public treatment’, classed as ‘good’ for preventing and deterring crime, antisocial behaviour, and vulnerability, and ‘adequate’ for investigating crime and protecting vulnerable people.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher said: “I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, including how it uses its police powers and works with partners to prevent crime.

“However, in some areas we inspected, the constabulary needs to improve. It should answer 999 and 101 calls faster and respond to those incidents more quickly too. It must also improve its management of risks posed by registered sex offenders in the community.

Reacting to the report’s findings, the force’s Chief Constable Nick Dean said the report gave the force an opportunity to reflect on the service it provides.

He said: “We welcome the report from HMICFRS as it’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the service we provide, celebrate what we are doing well, and look at what we need to improve to provide an even better service for the people of Cambridgeshire.

“So, to be the only force in the country to receive an ‘outstanding’ grade for how we use police powers, especially given how much scrutiny this area of our business has quite rightly come under from the government and the public, is testament to the innovative work we have put in place to ensure fairness and transparency at every opportunity.”