Information Pack Bedfordshire Police 1 Introduction from the Chief Constable Thank you for your interest in joining Bedfordshire Police. I’m delighted to enclose information regarding our force, the area we serve and how we work in collaboration with Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire forces. Separate guidance documents are available which will provide more information on the application and selection process for Chief Inspector rank to help you to prepare. A Chief Officer will also be available at a webinar session to answer any queries you have about the Promotion process and what it is like to work as a member of our team. I would like to wish you good luck in your application and in the selection process. Best wishes Jon Boutcher, QPM, Mst (Cantab) Chief Constable, Bedfordshire Police, 2 About the County of Bedfordshire Bedfordshire covers an area of 123,500 hectares and has a population of around 600,000. It is the 14th most densely populated county of England and the 5th most densely populated non-metropolitan county with over half the population living in the two largest built up areas of Bedford (102,000) and Luton (236,000). In addition, it has a number of other large towns such as Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. It is a county of contrasts as it also contains a large spread of rural areas. For local government purposes, Bedfordshire is divided into three unitary authorities: Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Borough. Many services in the county, such as education and public libraries, continue to be provided jointly by both Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough. The challenge remains that in some areas of policing the Force has to deal with three unitary authorities. There has, however, been success in devising a county-wide hate crime strategy and there is strong joint working in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation, which hopefully augurs well for building stronger county-wide working into the future. The Force area covers 477 square miles and employs in the region of 1,086 Police Officers, 816 Police Staff and 108 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). It is also fortunate to have the support of many dedicated volunteers, including 251 Special Constables, who play a major role in helping to police Bedfordshire. With the introduction of a new policing model from March 2016 the workforce mix will be going through a level of change. Bedfordshire is a county of contrasts and the Force works hard to provide a service which meets the needs of all sections of our extremely diverse community, where more than 80 different languages are spoken. Luton, outside of the London Boroughs and Slough, has the lowest proportions of White British resident populations as measured in the 2011 census. The Force also serves a number of other large towns with busy shopping centres and vibrant night-time economies, along with rural areas dotted with picturesque villages and hamlets. The county's policing needs are enhanced by the fact that Bedfordshire is less than an hour's drive from London and is home to London Luton Airport, which serves around twelve million passengers, and increasing, each year, with flights to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Bedfordshire encompasses a huge transport network, which links London to the Midlands and northern England. There are three M1 junctions in the area, the A1 and A6 run through the county and three main railway lines run services throughout Bedfordshire. Bedfordshire also regularly welcomes thousands of tourists thanks to attractions including Woburn Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo and hosts events that draw people from far and wide, including Bedford River Festival and Luton Carnival. 3 A day in the life of Bedfordshire Police Incoming Demand Approximately 230 999 calls are Approximately 900 101 calls are received per day received per day Over 180 email enquiries are Around 140 emergency incidents are received every day in the Force Bedfordshire’s attended every day Bedfordshire has a Control Room transport networks population of Around 26 fixed include Luton approximately appointments are Approximately 85 International 644,000, with over attended every day Ongoing Demand intelligence reports are Airport, the M1 and submitted every day rail links to London 100 languages Over 2,700 referrals to PPU from outside spoken. Approximately 111 agencies in 2014: crimes a day are 377 Domestic Abuse recorded 1401 Child Protection Management of 70 Approximately 6 Stop 979 Vulnerable Adults Multi Agency Public and Search are Protection carried out every day The County of There are 1084 Over 60 ASB incidents Arrangement offenders Management of 508 Bedfordshire a day are reported Bedfordshire police registered sex offenders covers 477 Sq officers (in March 2016), in the community 43 cash forfeitures in miles one for every 600 On average 10 people a Around 34 suspects are 2015/16 under the day are reported absent arrested and brought in to members of the public. Proceeds of Crime Act, or missing Integrated Offender Management police custody every day manages 204 offenders daily totalling over £200,000 Management of HMIC Engagement with over On average officers attend more inspections, insight days 20,000 young people and 2 Domestic Abuse than 1 fatal or serious injury Road and other visits 1,500 parents in schools in Over 300,000 people cases are referred to Traffic Accident in Bedfordshire 2015/16 attended bi-enniel MARAC daily every day Bedford River Festival in 2016 rd Around 2 Hate Luton is ranked 3 Approximately 30 Domestic Incidents will be Nationally after Incidents a day are reported reported per day London and Birmingham for CT Bedfordshire is th Luton Around 150 public activity ranked 5 Around 40 referrals to PPU On average officers attend Carnival events are policed nationally for made every day for Domestic more than 1 incident attracts every year knife crime Abuse, Child Protection and involving 50,000 people offences Vulnerable Adults4 Firearms every day every year Police and Crime Plan - “Building a Safer Bedfordshire” The Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, Kathryn Holloway, has published a Police and Crime Plan which describes her ambition to build a safer Bedfordshire by providing clear strategic direction for policing and crime services in Bedfordshire. See her Plan at www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/Home.aspx For further information about Bedfordshire Constabulary, what we do, the resources we have to do it and the partners we work with, please see our website: www.bedfordshire.police.uk A return of more visible policing across the county To rebuild public confidence in Bedfordshire Police To ensure police are there when needed most after 999 calls Putting victims at the centre of the way Bedfordshire police and prosecute A fair deal on policing whether you live in the county or town Protecting the police to protect the public Genuinely being a Commissioner for all communities Working with partners to break the cycle of crime 5 Organisational Structure 6 24 Hours in Police Sold Ampthill Custody & Leagrave ‘recognised’ by Achievements stations BAFTA Workforce Securing increased BME Engagement applicants for police officer roles PPU piloted MindFit approach to wellbeing Best use of Stop & Search Performance National leader in Stop & Search compliance Golden Standard for community Outcomes tension monitoring (from Head 15% increase in 999 call of National Community Tension performance, with 5% call Team) Collaboration Improved victim increase Op Sentinel launched; targeted satisfaction level and 9% increase in 101 call ASB approach rank performance, with 11% call Better secure accommodation Improved Domestic increase for children Abuse and Hate Crime Fast response times Fewer s136 mental health Deeper BCH collaboration conviction rates improved detentions Business cases for 7-force rd Improved CJ file quality Under-reported crime up Set up 13 Hate Crime 3 party procurement and vetting and evidence presented (2015/16) reporting centres collaboration at court SAC reduction (2015/16); Hate crime workshops with Standard BCH process for st th 7 children and young people Supt & C/Supt promotions ranked 1 for Burglary, 4 for Robbery Operating structure of the collaborated Tri-Force Services 8.