HMICFRS - Experts & Thought Leaders

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has confirmed it is satisfied with the progress Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is making to address improvements identified during its previous inspection. In a letter received this week following an October revisit, inspectors recognized early positive change across leadership, governance and organizational culture, supported by a comprehensive action plan developed with staff and representative bodies. Investment and support from Suffolk County Council Inspectors also noted the significant investment and support from Suffolk County Council - totaling £1.6 million over two years, which has enabled new posts, development programs and organizational reforms to be put in place. While acknowledging that meaningful cultural improvement takes time, the Inspectorate confirmed it is satisfied with the service’s progress to date. Inspectorate’s recognition Jon Lacey, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: "We welcome the inspectorate’s recognition of the progress made so far, which reflects the hard work and commitment of our staff and pioneers." He adds, "We are building a positive, inclusive and values-led culture, and while we are encouraged by this feedback, we know we are only partway through our improvement journey." “Our focus now is on continuing to embed change, strengthening leadership behaviors, and ensuring that improvements become sustainable and consistent across the organization.” inspection last year Since the inspection last year, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has: Secured £1.6m investment from Suffolk County Council to support improvement. Recruited nine new posts, with eight further roles in progress. Developed a comprehensive 37-goal improvement plan addressing all recommendations. Introduced new governance boards and improved oversight of progress. Delivered leadership development, training and 360-degree feedback programmes. Increased staff engagement through surveys, feedback processes and enhanced internal communications. Commissioned external peer support and challenge to promote learning and transparency. improvements in leadership, communication, and culture Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, said: “It is reassuring to see the Inspectorate recognize the meaningful progress being made. The council’s £1.6 million investment is supporting improvements in leadership, communication and culture, and it is encouraging to see positive change emerging.” “There is more work ahead, but strong foundations have now been put in place, and we will continue supporting the service as it delivers the high standards our communities expect.”

Most police forces effectively identify patterns and causes of homicide, and allocate the right resources to prevent it, but there is still too much inconsistency in how policing tackles homicide prevention, a new report has found. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carried out an inspection of homicide prevention, jointly supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the College of Policing, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The inspectorate found several examples of good practice, including clear and effective leadership in some forces, which helped to coordinate activity and make sure all causes of homicide were tackled. But inspectors were concerned by the inconsistency across policing. Homicide data collection The report also warned that the current system for homicide data collection from forces was preventing sufficient and accurate information from being submitted to the Home Office. Until this is resolved, the Home Office, and in turn forces, may only have a partial understanding of homicide and its causes. For example, the link between drugs and homicide may have been overstated. Other issues highlighted included: Some forces didn’t understand the threat in their area, so they couldn’t effectively prevent homicide. Not enough forces were found to be engaging and contributing to the homicide prevention framework. Most forces didn’t have a way of quickly identifying learning following incidents of homicide, and too often, recommendations weren’t effectively communicated to frontline staff. Forces weren’t communicating effectively with young people via social media, and this may be increasing the fear of crime among older people. Forces rely on social media platforms that young people are less likely to use, resulting in prevention messages being lost or communicated disproportionately to older people. Forces were failing to protect the public by not allocating resources to properly manage potentially dangerous people. Prevention of homicide In order to improve forces’ contribution to the prevention of homicide, HMICFRS made recommendations to both chief constables and the Home Office. The recommendations include chief constables ensuring they produce regular analytical reports concerning death investigations and quickly identify lessons from homicides. Lack of consistency His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, said: “It’s encouraging to see the examples of good practice happening across forces in the prevention of homicide. However, for all the positives, homicide prevention is hindered by the lack of consistency in each force’s approach.” “When dealing with such a serious and devastating crime as homicide, it is absolutely vital that forces and partner agencies work closely and effectively together.” College of Policing Nerys Thomas, Head of Research Analysis and Knowledge Sharing at the College of Policing, said: “While there are many great examples of police forces working well to identify patterns and prevent homicide, there is still more to do. The College of Policing will continue supporting all forces to engage with and add to the homicide prevention framework so we can share good practice across the country.” “Through using this framework to connect forces and encourage partnership working, we can ensure the most effective and efficient tactics are being deployed by forces in preventing such devastating crimes.” Emerging themes in homicides National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for homicide, Chief Constable Kate Meynell, said: “We welcome this report and will look to progress the recommendations. We are working closely with the Home Office to understand any emerging themes in homicides and what prevention opportunities there may be for policing and the wider system to make a positive difference.” “The new homicide prevention framework goes beyond catching those responsible, but rather it equips police forces with the tools and tactics they need to stop it from happening in the first place.” “Policing cannot take on the extensive societal issues that lead to homicide alone. Many of the levers for prevention of homicide will sit elsewhere, and we are encouraging all agencies to work alongside us so that collectively, we develop meaningful assets and play our part in preventing homicide.” Partners across policing The IOPC’s Acting Deputy Director General, Kathie Cashell, said: “Any death resulting from a homicide is a tragedy, and we are committed to working with partners across policing to identify areas for improvements in the way police forces work to prevent homicides.” “The IOPC has used data from referrals we receive, as well as recommendations we have made as a result of our investigations and reviews, to help inform this hugely important piece of work.” “This report offers a chance for forces to make changes that will help build on the good work already being done to prevent homicides and save lives.”

The FIA CEO has responded to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that responsibility for fire safety will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Ian Moore (CEO of the FIA) said that this decision (that many of us have known was coming for some time) is common sense and he is glad to see that the Government is finally listening (after many years) to feedback from the fire industry. WMS 8-Machinery of Government Organization: Prime Minister's Office Type: Written Ministerial Statement Date: 13 February 2025 Grenfell Phase 2 Inquiry report Statement made by Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister: "I am making this statement to bring to the House's attention the following Machinery of Government change." "On 4 September 2024 I announced that the Government would respond in full to the Grenfell Phase 2 Inquiry report within six months. In response to one of the recommendations from the report, I am confirming today that responsibility for fire will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government." Management of the Airwave Service Contract "This change will bring responsibility for building safety and fire under a single Secretary of State, providing for a more coherent approach to keeping people safe from fire in their homes." "The Home Office will retain management of the Airwave Service Contract on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and will remain responsible for the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)." This change will be effective from 1 April 2025. The Government will respond to the full report in due course.