Devon and Cornwall Police are performing well in financial tighted times, but concerns remain over the accuracy of crime reporting and its approach to domestic abuse

This year HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has introduced a new way of inspecting the police and reporting our findings to the public.

Called PEEL assessments, the inspections looked at police effectiveness, efficiency and 'legitimacy', with an assessment of how well Devon and Cornwall Police cuts crime, protects the vulnerable, tackles anti-social behaviour and deals with emergencies and other calls for service.

It also looked at whether the force provides value for money and a service that is fair and treats people properly.

HMIC found Devon and Cornwall Police is, in general, good at reducing crime and preventing offending, good at investigating offending and good at tackling anti-social behaviour.

HMIC has some specific concerns about the force’s approach to domestic abuse.

When considering its efficiency, "the force has continued to make good progress in achieving savings despite facing a very difficult challenge".

In relation to legitimacy, "the force is acting to achieve fairness and legitimacy in some of the practices that we examined this year".

HM Inspector of Constabulary for Wales and Western Region, Dru Sharpling, said: “Devon and Cornwall Police is effective at reducing crime and investigations are generally of a good standard and conducted in a timely manner, with robust supervision. Partnership working is strong, with evidence of effective joint working at all levels in tackling anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.

"The force has made impressive progress in achieving savings despite spending less on policing than most other forces at the start of the spending review and having less scope to find those savings."

"The force is working well to instil ethical and professional behaviour across the force."

"I also have concerns that crime-recording is not as accurate as it should be.”