Force must improve investigation results - report

Deputy Chief Constable Sarah Poolman said the force was working to bring about improvement in performance

South Yorkshire Police has been rated as good at preventing crimes but told it needs to improve its investigation outcomes, according to a new report.

The force was reviewed across nine areas following a recent visit by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said she while was "pleased with some aspects" the force was "not bringing about a good service" in others.

Responding to the report Deputy Chief Constable Sarah Poolman said work was already under way "to develop an action plan to improve the service".

HMICFRS graded the force across eight areas, rating it "good" in one, "adequate" in five and "requires improvement" in two others.

A previous report published in February 2023 rated the force adequate, good or outstanding in all areas.

According to the latest inspection, the force requires improvement at investigating crime.

It said that in the year to 30 September 2024 a total of 125,472 victim-based crimes were recorded, but just 10.9% were assigned an "offences brought to justice" outcome - though said that figure fell within the normal range compared to other forces in England and Wales

It found that in almost half of cases (46.1%) no suspect was identified.

The force was also rated as requires improvement at building, supporting and protecting the workforce.

The report said a number of officers and staff said they felt unable to cope with their "high workloads", with sergeants in particular saying they often had to take work home to finish.

It also said the force needed to improve its understanding of why officers were choosing to leave, adding that in the 12 months to 10 February 2025, 45 student officers had left.

Ms Skeer said: "We found the force particularly good at preventing and deterring crime, with a clear commitment to neighbourhood policing.

"The force also answers 999 calls more quickly but doesn't always respond to calls for service as quickly as it should.

"While the force has tried to address this issue, it needs to do more to meet the public's needs."

She added the force had faced "significant challenges", including policing the violent disorder at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers in August and the discovery of a £65m overspend.

She said: "I will be monitoring the force's progress closely and I hope that changes made will result in improvements that help it better meet the public's needs."

Deputy Chief Constable Sarah Poolman said: "Some gradings have lowered. This is not a sign that we are holding ourselves to lower standards than before but rather that a new higher bar has been set by HMICFRS prior to this round of inspections."

She said the force faced challenges with its financial deficit and shortage of detectives but was committed to being an "ambitious force" in preventing crime and disorder and responding to the needs of victims and communities.

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