Inspectors say public safety is at risk because Devon and Cornwall Police have failed to investigate crime and protect victims. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the force had been downgraded from Level Two to Level Three after its performance deteriorated this year.
The move comes two months after inspectors placed the force in Level Two, saying it needed enhanced support because of concerns about its handling of investigations and its ability to safeguard vulnerable adults and children. Chief constable James Vaughan accepted that the public "deserve a better service and a stronger leadership response". When the force was placed in Level Two, police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez said officers needed to reach the top performance level and that was "the standard the public deserves and expects".
HMICFRS has now issued an accelerated cause of concern, a measure reserved for situations involving significant service failures or risks to public safety. Inspectors found investigations were not being carried out or supervised consistently, and in some cases the risk of serious harm to victims was not identified or addressed for several weeks. They also found some crimes and safeguarding concerns had remained unallocated for weeks, and weaknesses in the force's operating model meant demand was not being managed effectively.
His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Kathryn Stone said: "The force is failing to provide effective leadership to manage demand, investigate crime and safeguard victims." She said: "Devon and Cornwall Police will now receive additional support and it should take immediate action to address our recommendations. I will be closely monitoring its progress."
The new policing performance system has four categories:
Vaughan, who was appointed as chief constable on an interim basis in December 2024, said: "When an organisation continues to struggle to grip and manage known and important issues, this ultimately does become a matter of leadership. Our workforce and more importantly the public we serve, deserve a better service and a stronger leadership response."
The grading "crucially" meant access to additional support, expertise and resources from the College of Policing. Vaughan, who confirmed earlier this month he would stay in post until 2028, added that Stone and Hernandez "continue to express their confidence in me and whilst I have that confidence, I remain fully committed to leading this
Devon and Cornwall Police Downgraded on Victim Safety