Information

Welcome and introductions.

 

Attendees:

PFCC Danielle Stone (DS)

DPFCC Marianne Kimani (MK)

Jonny Bugg (JB)

Louise Sheridan (LS)

Stuart McCartney (SMc)

Emily Evans (EE)

CC Ivan Balhatchet (IB)

DCC Ash Tuckley (AT)

A/ACC Adam Ward (AW)

D/Chief Supt Paul Rymarz (PR)

D/Supt. Joe Banfield (JB)

Supt. Liz Wilcox (LW)

 

• DS welcomed everyone to the problem-solving meeting.
• Apologies were accepted from Vaughan Ashcroft and Paul Fell.

 

 

PART 1

Domestic Abuse

 

Whilst in the year to February 2025 DA incidents appear to have remained largely stable and reported crimes are down by 2%, there are aspects of the Force performance to those reported matters that are still of concern to the Commissioner.

 

• Arrest rates overall continue to decline
• The positive outcome rate for reported domestic abuse crime remains at a very low and reducing level
• The charge rate for crimes that are detected remains low

 

The Commissioner requires an understanding of the causal factors for this data and an understanding of any cultural factors that might be at play in this and how either of these might be affecting service to victims. She expects the presentation of the plan to address these long-standing issues.

 

Additionally, there are two other issues that might not be directly police related or influenced that she would like an understanding in relation to:

1. There is some early indication that over the last 12 months there might be the start of a trend in the shape of offender’s gender with a reduction in male and increase in female.

 

2. The conviction rate at court for DA cases remains higher locally than nationally or regionally but is reducing. This has already been raised at LCJB, but the Commissioner is interested in a policing perspective on what the reasons for this might be

 

• The Commissioner noted that her recent meeting relating to domestic abuse had been positive.
• She was encouraged by the collaborative approach in tackling this area of concern.
• D/Chief Supt Paul Rymarz presented data relating to the gender of DA victims and perpetrators.
• He explained that whilst there had been some fluctuations, there was no evidence of a trend, but they agreed to keep this under review.
• In relation to the drop in conviction rates, the Force could not identify a reason for the reduction but surmised that the increase in charging more cases could be the main cause.
• The Force then briefed the Commissioner on their new DA campaign which will be rolled out and aims to change the overall approach to dealing with DA in the county.
• Each strand will have a thematic lead. Launches on 2^nd June
• The Chief Constable noted the importance of the Offender Management Review and the possibility of DA offenders being released into communities.

The Commissioner shared the Chief’s concerns and requested this issue be placed on the agenda of the next Local Criminal Justice Board meeting.

 

Action – A further Domestic abuse review to be added to the Accountability Board in 6 months however the Commissioner requested an update on progress in September.

 

Assurance Statement:

 The Commissioner welcomed the Force’s commitment to tackling Domestic Abuse in the county but requested further assurance relating to national DA figures and how they compare to those in Northamptonshire. She noted the valuable feedback from partners but was still concerned about arrest rates. The campaign to change the culture is welcomed to help ensure opportunities to help victims and prosecute offenders is important.

 The Commissioner requested a further full review and briefing in six months from the force.

 

Retail Crime (Shoplifting)

 

The levels of recorded retail crime (shoplifting) have seen an ongoing upwards trend over the last three years, with a significant rise over the past 12 months, which is also reflected in the national position.

The rise in the past 12 months appears to be significantly higher in Northamptonshire than in the Force’s most similar group (35% as of Feb 2025 in comparison with 14%).

Northamptonshire levels of retail theft are above the MSG and national position and the Force is ranked 28^th, from 12^th last year.

The Commissioner accepts that the Force response to reported crimes relating to retail theft have significantly improved and this is reflected in positive outcome rates and feedback from the sector.

She requires an explanation of the full understanding for the reasons for these increases, what the drivers for this offending are, what actions are being taken reduce the levels of offending, and how her office can assist in this regard.

 

• A/ACC Adam Ward presented the Commissioner with some history and context to the issue of retail crime within Northamptonshire and the how the Force has responded.
• He noted that Operation Elegance has had a positive impact which has been reflected in the force’s performance, which is now the 5^th best nationally.
• This success has been reflected in a growing confidence in retailers to report shoplifting and work has been undertaken to improve and simplify the reporting process.
• The Commissioner noted that the challenges in engaging with larger retailers and the impact on workers.
• The Chief Constable responded and explained there had been a step change in approach and the Force has received positive feedback from retailers.

 

Assurance Statement:

 

The Commissioner was pleased with the progress the force has made and was assured this issue was being tackled in a positive way that is now being felt in local shops and communities. She noted there was still a lot more work to do and wanted to target lager retailers when the Commissioner’s Women’s Charter is launched to help protect vulnerable retail workers.

 

 

PART 2

Professional Standards update

 

The Commissioner requires a report relating to the effectiveness of the management of the police complaints process.

This report should include:

• Data on numbers of complaints referred to the Professional Standards Department over the last three years and any trends in relation to these numbers and the nature of the complaints or allegations within them.
• The number and types of misconduct meetings and hearings over the past 12 months and the outcomes form those.
• How reflective practice is used within the Force to include the frequency of this and the types of activity in which or for which this has been used over the past 12 months.
• The timeliness of:

1. Assessment of a complaint once received in PSD
2. Allocation to an investigating officer from the point allocation is completed.
3. Average length of time for investigation after allocation to an investigating officer.

The report should also identify learning that has been gained over the past three years from the whole complaints system that has improved the way service is delivered.

 

• D/Supt Liz Wilcox provided the Commissioner with an update on the work of PSD and how complaints are managed between them and the County Wide Complaints Unit.
• She noted the current weaknesses within the current system and the work being undertaken to address them and to place a greater focus on understanding and managing complainants’ expectations.
• D/Supt Liz Wilcox raised the fact that some of the letters from CWC to complainants were too lengthy and not always addressing the issues raised.
• The Commissioner welcomed the review to ensure responses were more constructive and helpful in the future.
• The OPFCC Customer Service Manager raised some queries relating to inconsistencies in data and the Commissioner sought assurance in relation to how data is analysed.
• Wilcox explained that when trends and issues are identified, these are shared with supervisors to take appropriate action.
• When asked by the Commissioner how this is received by the Force, D/Supt Wilcox explained there is no push back and managers across the force are receptive to feedback.
• The Commissioner raised the issue of serious misconduct hearings and impact on behaviours within the force.
• The Chief noted that the Force has been upfront and honest about its approach and will get feedback from the staff survey.

 

Assurance Statement:

 

The Commissioner was assured with the work being undertaken by the Force in relation to Professional Standards and to improve the manner in which complaints are being managed. It is important for her to understand where the issues are and what work is being undertaken to address weaknesses.

 The Commissioner welcomed the review to ensure responses were more constructive and helpful in the future.

 The Force agreed to provide a further update on this issue in September 2025.

 

 

AOB

 

Vetting

 

At a recent problem-solving meeting the Commissioner and Chief Constable discussed the issue of vetting in its widest form.

 

• Deputy Chief Constable Ash Tuckley provided the Commissioner with an update and noted that since their last briefing on vetting, performance has improved.
• He also explained that continued improvements would require further investment.
• The OPFCC Chief Executive confirmed that additional investment has been identified and suggested that the cost could be shared between the three organisations.

 

Assurance Statement:

The Commissioner was assured that this matter was being addressed in a positive and constructive manner. The importance of improving vetting times is reflected in her ambition to make all three organisations more attractive and inviting places to work.

 Reducing the time for vetting would be a key component of this. She was comfortable with the proposals being suggested for additional investment and would like to see improvements being delivered.

 

No further business was raised