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Watchdog praises force's stability and victim care

Samantha JaggerNorth East and Cumbria
Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner David Allen and Darren Martland stand side by side outside a blue police station door. They are both smiling brightly at the camera. Allen has short dark/grey hair and is wearing a dark blue suit and tie. Martland is in a police uniform, which consists of a white shirt, black epaulets and an identification card clipped to his pocket. He also has short greying hair.Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Commissioner David Allen said Chief Constable Darren Martland "should be proud" of his team

A police force has been praised for keeping people safe and its care for victims but concerns over the consistency of its investigations were raised.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) rated Cumbria Police as "good" in four areas: leadership, a diverse and inclusive workplace, responding to the public and safeguarding children and adults.

The report found four areas to be "adequate", with the force being told to improve using its powers proportionately and managing fraud.

Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Allen described the results as "excellent", with it being one of two forces that did not receive a negative grading.

There are five possible grades - outstanding, good, adequate, requires improvement and inadequate.

His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said the force remained in a stable position and was "optimistic it would continue to make improvements".

Freeman said the force's strengths included safeguarding vulnerable people, supporting its workforce and giving victims an effective service.

The report praised the force's "clear leadership" and "positive and inclusive" workplace culture.

Freeman said with the recent appointment of Chief Constable Darren Martland in February, the force had maintained a "clear sense of direction".

Cumbria Police Two police officers, a woman and a man, shown from behind walking down a corridor. They are both in uniform and wearing black police hats. The woman is looking up at the man so part of her profile can be seen. In the background are two people, but they are slightly blurred.Cumbria Police
The force was praised for looking after vulnerable people and victim care

Freeman said investigations were "generally managed well in the early stages", but as they progressed, "supervision and investigative activity was not always maintained to the same standard".

The constabulary was found to use police powers appropriately and lawfully, but it was told to improve its understanding of disproportionality.

The report found in the year ending 31 March 2025, black people were 8.5 times more likely than white people to be subject to use of force.

It added there were gaps in quality and accuracy of the data, with 24% of use of force records not including self-defined ethnicity.

The PCC said Martland "should be proud" of his team and the lack of "requires improvement" ratings reflected "hard work and dedication".

However Allen said the results "did not mean the constabulary can rest on its laurels" and was told by Martland work was being done to address its "adequate" areas.

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