Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Devon and Cornwall Police implements the improvements required following the PEEL 2025–27 assessment; and what continuing monitoring or scrutiny is taking place.

Following the publication of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) 2025–27 PEEL assessment, https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publications/peel-assessment-2025-27-devon-and-cornwall/ Devon and Cornwall Police has been placed into Level 3 of the Government’s Policing Performance System https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/news-feed/devon-and-cornwall-police-moved-into-level-three-of-the-policing-performance-system/ This reflects the concerns identified by HMICFRS, including causes of concern relating to investigations and the safeguarding of vulnerable people.

The force is required to deliver improvements against the recommendations made by HMICFRS and is subject to enhanced oversight through the Policing Performance System. The Home Office, working alongside the College of Policing, HMICFRS and policing partners, is providing support to assist the force in addressing the issues identified and delivering sustainable improvement, however this support is in its infancy.

Monitoring of Devon and Cornwall is ongoing through regular performance assessments, engagement with force leadership and local policing governance bodies, and scrutiny of progress against improvement plans. HMICFRS will continue to assess the force’s progress through its established inspection and follow-up arrangements, while the Government will keep the level of oversight and support under review as improvements are delivered.