Watchdog finds local force inadequate

Staffordshire Police were inadequate at responding to the public and there were concerns about how it investigated crime, a report has found.

The force was not attending priority incidents within its two-hour target often enough, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said.

It added that some investigations were not being allocated to officers with the appropriate skills or training, but that there were improvements in how vulnerable people were safeguarded and how stop-and-search powers were used.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "We acknowledge the findings of the latest HMICFRS PEEL inspection, which highlights both areas where we have made progress and clear priorities for further improvement."

The watchdog found Staffordshire Police's performance in responding to the public was inadequate, despite raising this as a concern two years ago.