Gloucestershire Constabulary faces urgent calls to improve its safeguarding of children at risk, following a critical inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The force was rated inadequate in three key areas related to child protection, highlighting deep shortcomings in how it investigates child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The inspection evaluated five aspects of the constabulary’s approach to protecting vulnerable children. While one area was deemed adequate and another requiring improvement, three domains raised serious concerns: leadership in child protection, the recording of incidents involving missing children, and the thoroughness of child abuse investigations.
HMICFRS found that Gloucestershire Constabulary lacks effective governance structures for child protection. Leaders have been aware of under-resourcing within child protection teams, but critical weaknesses persist in addressing these issues.
Concerns were particularly acute regarding the handling of cases involving vulnerable missing children. The inspection revealed delays in launching investigations and a lack of child-focused approaches by some officers and staff, resulting in poor outcomes for affected children.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Michelle Skeer, commented: “While it’s positive that Gloucestershire Constabulary collaborates well with safeguarding partners, there remain serious deficiencies in how it protects children. Governance is ineffective, with leaders unclear on strategic direction and slow to address known problems, especially in recording and responding to reports of missing vulnerable children.
“The force needs to improve management, supervision, and the investigative process in child abuse cases. Officers and staff must adopt a consistently child-centred approach.
“Although recent senior team changes have caused some instability, the temporary chief constable has assured me that the findings are being taken seriously and that focused efforts to drive improvements are underway. We will continue to monitor progress closely.”
In response, Gloucestershire police have pledged decisive action to reform their child protection practices. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone, who oversees Crime, Justice, and Vulnerability, said the force began implementing changes immediately after receiving feedback from HMICFRS in December.
He said: “Children and young people are among the most vulnerable in society, and it is vital we do all we can to keep them safe. We accept the inspection’s findings and recognize the need to improve. We have already taken steps to boost specialist skills and resources, strengthen leadership, and enhance oversight in child protection.
“Our safeguarding of children remains a key priority. We will continue working collaboratively with HMICFRS and our partners to deliver the necessary improvements.”
Among the initiatives underway, the force has developed a comprehensive improvement plan focused on better protecting children over the next year. This includes establishing a new performance board to boost scrutiny, increasing the child abuse investigation team by 20 officers since May, and providing specialist training for hundreds of staff.
Gloucestershire police also aim to deepen cooperation with safeguarding partners, seek expert advice from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and raise awareness of child protection issues among their workforce and the public. These measures signal a strong commitment to address the shortcomings identified and create a safer environment for children across the county.