North Wales Police 'inadequate' at tackling organised crime

North Wales Police lacks the resources to be effective, inspectors found

North Wales Police is inadequate at tackling serious and organised crime, a report has found.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found the force lacked the resources to be effective.

The report also said that some staff did not fully understand that tackling organised crime was a priority.

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said she "fully accepts" the findings and was committed to addressing them.

The inspection examined how six forces across north Wales and the north-west of England dealt with crimes involving drugs, firearms, human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, cyber crime and fraud.

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Inspectors reported that North Wales Police's lead officers for serious crimes had significant other demands limiting their ability to focus, and that two out of the force's three proactive units were not fully operational.

The report stated that some analysts and managers "expressed frustration" that pieces of completed work were not being acted on due to "limited availability of frontline resources".

North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said she "fully accepts" the findings of the report

There is some praise in the report for the way police deal with victims of organised crime, especially those involved in county lines, and its crime prevention work with young people.

North Wales Police forms part of a regional organised crime unit with five other forces including Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Its work was described as outstanding by the inspectorate of constabulary for its innovative planning and expectations of its workforce.

The force has been given a year to make changes such as ensuring staff understand the importance of tackling serious and organised crime, increasing its ability to understand emerging threats and recording good practice to improve performance.

Ms Blakeman said: "We are committed to implementing an action plan to address the organisational changes required to improve the areas identified by the inspectorate.

"Whilst disappointed with the grading, I am pleased to say we have already made significant changes in improving the way we tackle serious and organised crime within our communities."