Northamptonshire Police has welcomed as 'excellent news' confirmation that the Force is no longer under special scrutiny by the Home Office.

Chief Constable Peter Maddison learned this week that the Police & Crime Standards Directorate (formerly the Police Standards Unit) has formally withdrawn from the Force – just three years after he first asked for their support.

Plummeting crime rates, continuing improvements in performance, significant progress in other areas and the introduction of new systems and processes has restored Home Office confidence in Northamptonshire Police.

"This is an important milestone for the Force and one which we are passing with a mixture and satisfaction and relief, " Mr Maddison said.

"It marks a tremendous achievement for the people who police this county. Our reputation was seriously challenged, but the whole Force has been determined to improve and has worked really hard to overcome the problems we faced. We have come a very long way and I want to thank each and every one of my staff for their enthusiasm and commitment, " he added.

Mr Maddison,the Chair of Northamptonshire Police Authority Dr Marie Dickie and the Chair of the Authority’s Performance Monitoring Committee Mrs Deirdre Newham, met with members of the Police Performance Steering Group in London last week to report on the progress that has been made. The Home Office Minister confirmed this week that disengagement could take place.

Mr Maddison stressed that many positive things have come out of the experience and Northamptonshire Police is not the same force it was three years ago.

The way policing is delivered in this county has been reviewed and re-shaped with the introduction of a new policing model and the reorganisation from four to two policing areas, to allow better use of resources and encourage greater efficiency.

Dynamic new performance systems have been put in place to allow the Force to monitor progress and take early action when problems are identified. A new crime recording and investigation bureau has been developed and implemented, ensuring faster and more accurate crime recording. A ground-breaking on-line system to allow victims to check on the progress if their crime investigation has been introduced, together with other systems to improve the feedback given to victims and witnesses.

The Force has taken every advantage of the expertise and financial support provided by the Police & Crime Standards Directorate, who have provided more than £2 million to invest in new systems and processes and in training for front line officers and supervisors.

"This is money we would not otherwise have been able to tap into and as a county we have a good deal to be thankful to the PCSD for. They have enabled us to make fast-time progress in our efforts to improve performance and encouraged and supported us in our plans to deliver a better service to the public," Mr Maddison said.

The outcome has been remarkable. Crime has reduced year on year, detections have gone up and public satisfaction has increased. These trends are expected to continue, with the Force making them a priority.

Despite ratings in the police performance assessment process showing there is still considerable room for further improvement, the Police Performance Steering Group recognises the Force is closing the gap with those other forces with whom its performance is compared, and believes it will continue to make progress.

It also recognises that the Chief Officer team and the Police Authority are determinedly driving the action and that the performance culture is ‘bedding in’ with the Force.

Positive comments have also been made about falls in the sickness rate for police officers and staff, the strong performance in forensic management and the successful introduction of Safer Community Teams across the county.

"This has been a difficult three years and a lesser Force might have been demoralised by the challenges we faced and the mountains we had to climb. However, we are looking on engagement as a positive experience and one which has left us with our confidence restored. It is now time to move on," Mr Maddison said.

Post disengagement, he promises that the performance of Force will continue to improve and that it will try even harder to respond to the needs of the community.

"We are a local Force meeting local needs and we are committed to providing the best possible service to the people of this county. Northamptonshire is a good place to live and, working with our partners, we will ensure it is a safe place as well, " he stressed.

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR OF THE POLICE AUTHORITY

Dr Dickie has also welcomed the news and said: "It is what we have all been working towards for the last three years. All the hard work has paid off and one major benefit is that we will now be able to be more responsive towards local concerns.

"Previously, one of the constraints was that much work had to be done to meet stringent national targets. But now the emphasis can move more to local matters.

"We are grateful for the expertise and resources of the Police & Crime Standards Directorate but welcome the freedom and flexibility to respond to local challenges.

"Safer Community Teams have been rolled out across the county and these teams have to discover any problems that may affect people in their area and then find the resources to solve those problems."

Dr Dickie said people could not afford to relax now that targets had been met and added: "As a Police Authority we will continue to challenge the Chief Constable and rigorously monitor performance to make sure the people of Northamptonshire are well served by their Force."

COMMENTS FROM HM CHIEF INSPECTOR OF CONSTABULARY

The Chief HMI Sir Ronnie Flanagan has also praised the progress made by the Force. In a special message for staff he said: "As you take stock after three challenging years, I believe all of you who work for Northamptonshire Police should be encouraged by the tremendous improvements you have achieved. The way you have focused on performance has been impressive, as has your commitment and your willingness to grip the issues and take advantage of all the help that was on offer. As a Force you continue to be highly regarded, not least for your determination to provide your community with the best possible policing service. You have done well. Everyone has played their part and you have the right to be proud of your success. Congratulations and Good Luck!"