Dear Editor,

THE latest PEEL Assessment 2023-25 of Essex Police by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was published May 14, but it leads to me doubt the police are protecting the victims of violence.

I say this because not even the Chief Constable makes a note of this issue in his press release to YourHarlow in the article ‘Chief Constable of Essex responds to His Majesty’s of Constabulary inspection report’ published May 14. Nor is any mention made in the YourHarlow article ‘Essex Police told it must improve how it protects vulnerable people.’

The HMICFRS report section Protecting Vulnerable People has a lot to say about failings with regard to victims of domestic violence, but also with regards to not protecting them and the victims of sexual crime from further assaults by alleged perpetrators allowed out on conditional bail.

Specifically, on page 37 of the report it says:

“The force has a good understanding of the use of pre-charge bail with, appropriate conditions to safeguard victims. This is an important tool to protect not only domestic abuse victims, but also victims of other types of serious crime such as child abuse and sexual offences. But the force doesn’t consistently monitor suspects who are on bail with conditions, set by the police or courts, to make sure they are abiding by these conditions. This places the responsibly of reporting any breaches of bail conditions on victims, who may be traumatised or afraid.”

Furthermore, on page 38 the HMICFRS criticises Essex Police on its low use of Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO):

“In the year ending 30 September 2024, the force was a low user of DVPOs. It only applied for these important orders in 0.76 percent of recorded domestic
abuse-related crimes. Levels of applications did improve between 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2024, but in the three months to 30 September 2024
began declining. The force needs to make sure that it applies for DVPOs in all relevant cases.”

I suspect many readers of YourHarlow would consider the main duty of the police to protect people, especially vulnerable victims of crime. Is it any wonder that repeat crimes are committed or witnesses harassed when the police don’t actively monitor bail conditions?

Surely, this should not be happening in the 21st century, especially when we elected a Labour government that promised us ‘change’. Maybe, our town’s politicians would consider lobbying Chris Vince to provide PFCC Roger Hirst with more money?

Unfortunately, Mr Vince said Essex Police had enough money and it was down to “choices” the day following the government’s police funding announcement of January 28. After reading the HMICFRS report maybe Mr Vince will realise it is about money, not choices.

David Forman

NOTES:

1. HMICFRS PEEL report 14 May 2025, see pages 36 to 43 for Protecting Vulnerable People:
   https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/peel-reports/essex-2023-25/
2. YourHarlow Essex Chief Constable on HMICFRS report:
   https://www.yourharlow.com/2025/05/14/chief-constable-of-essex-responds-to-his-majestys-of-constabulary-inspection-report/
3. YourHarlow Essex Police must improve protection of vulnerable people:
   https://www.yourharlow.com/2025/05/14/essex-police-told-it-must-improve-how-it-protects-vulnerable-people/
4. Chis Vince says it is all about Choices January 29, 2025:
   https://www.yourharlow.com/2025/01/29/harlow-mp-chris-vince-the-tories-have-chosen-to-make-all-our-pcsos-redundant/