The Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday 23 April 2026 to discuss a range of policing and community safety matters. Key topics included updates on road safety initiatives, the ongoing PEEL inspection, the Joint Audit and Standards Committee's annual report, the outcomes of Operation Resolve, and the progress of the victim strategy. The panel also reviewed its work programme and discussed future meeting arrangements.

Road Safety Strategy and Initiatives

Philip Seccombe, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire, provided an update on his national role as road safety lead. He highlighted the recently published road safety strategy, which includes recommendations for minimum learning periods for novice drivers, mandatory eye tests for those aged 70 and above, a lower permitted blood alcohol level, and reforms to motorcycle training and licensing. The Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is developing its own response to this strategy, incorporating local views. Mr Seccombe expressed a personal view that regulations for young drivers do not go far enough, citing fatal collisions in Warwickshire.

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about the flatlining rate of road deaths and asked about the sharing of successful interventions amongst different road safety partnerships. Mr Seccombe explained the three E's of road safety: Engineering, Enforcement, and Education. He noted that Warwickshire has a strong road safety partnership with good agency buy-in and is working towards Vision Zero, aiming to eliminate road fatalities. The panel was informed that learning from international road safety professionals in New Zealand, Canada, and Australia is being incorporated.

Policing Reform and Force Structures

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around potential reforms to police force structures. Mr Seccombe mentioned a meeting with Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe, who is conducting an independent survey on police structures with a remit to reduce the number of police forces. Mr Seccombe expressed uncertainty about the ultimate outcome but acknowledged that Warwickshire, as the 43rd largest force in a 43-force structure, could be subject to change, potentially through mergers. He stressed the importance of Warwickshire Police remaining professional and efficient to prepare for all eventualities.

Councillor Adrian Warwick raised concerns about the lack of clear guidance on these reforms and how accountability would function, particularly if police forces were to cover multiple unitary authorities. Mr Seccombe shared these concerns, noting that the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) might precede clarity on what will replace them. He feared a potential return to less scrutinised police authorities and expressed concern that a reduction in forces could lead to increased central control by politicians in London, potentially diminishing the independence of chief constables.

Chief Constable Recruitment and PEEL Report Update

The panel discussed the recent resignation of the Chief Constable and the ongoing recruitment process for a new leader. Mr Seccombe acknowledged the surprise and disappointment surrounding the resignation but stated that police officers can resign with short notice. He expressed a desire to recruit an ambitious candidate who sees the role as a potential springboard for career advancement. Concerns were raised about the attractiveness of the role given potential tenure uncertainty and the challenging nature of policing. The importance of vetting being completed early in the selection process was also highlighted.

An update was provided on the PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) report. Mr Seccombe reported that a secondary inspection is underway, focusing on a previous cause of concern regarding response to the public. While performance statistics for call handling are showing improvement, with 94% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds and an average response time of 2.29 minutes for 101 calls, abandoned calls remain a focus. The panel expects a determination on the cause of concern within the next few weeks.

Back-End Processes and Criminal Justice System

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised a specific case where an individual caught drink-driving and causing significant damage was not charged. This led to a discussion about the effectiveness of back-end processes within the police force, including investigations and charging decisions. Mr Seccombe acknowledged the importance of efficient information flow and stated that investigators are trained to pursue prosecution where sufficient evidence exists. He noted that sometimes evidence is insufficient for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Councillor Cliff Brown, a former custody sergeant, expressed difficulty in understanding why straightforward cases, such as drink-driving incidents with clear evidence, might not proceed to prosecution. The discussion touched upon the complexity of modern crime, including online offences, and the higher evidential bar required. The panel agreed to collect more data on the criminal justice pipeline, including the use of out-of-court disposals and court backlogs, for further review by the Planning and Performance Working Group.

Joint Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report

John Anderson, Chair of the Warwickshire Joint Audit and Standards Committee (WJASC), presented the committee's annual report for 2025. He highlighted the maturity of the governance frameworks and assurance arrangements in place. The report confirmed that external auditors provided clear audited opinions on statutory accounts and value for money, and internal auditors provided substantial opinions. The WJASC has undertaken nine deep-dive reviews covering areas such as performance management, information assurance, and communications in a crisis. Mr Anderson expressed concern about the potential loss of robust governance arrangements with the impending abolition of PCCs. The committee's focus for the coming year includes police reforms, performance management, and the transition of the records management system from Athena to Niche.

Operation Resolve (Anti-Social Behaviour)

Philip Seccombe provided an update on Operation Resolve, a Home Office-funded initiative aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence through targeted patrols. The operation, which received £1 million annually, has now concluded. Mr Seccombe is discussing with chief constables how ASB patrolling will become business as usual for existing teams, potentially involving continued partnership working. While the operation had mixed results, an increase in reported ASB incidents was seen as a positive sign of public confidence.

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about displaced ASB and the difficulty in assessing the true impact without understanding the scale of border areas compared to hotspots. The report indicated that while ASB decreased in targeted hotspots, there was some displacement to bordering areas. The panel noted that a full evaluation report on Operation Resolve is expected by mid-June 2026. The force has published an ASB Action Plan, and Inspector David Kettle has been appointed as the dedicated ASB lead.

Victim Strategy Update

Emma Daniell, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, presented an update on the victim strategy. The strategic board, established to provide oversight and challenge, aims to improve outcomes for victims through a coordinated, whole-systems approach. A victim's needs assessment has been conducted, and a subgroup of 38 victims will contribute their lived experience. The strategy also focuses on hidden victims, such as families affected by serious road collisions or those impacted by a family member's arrest for online child imagery offences. The panel discussed the importance of victim code compliance and the ongoing work of various subgroups. Questions were raised about cross-border victims and the inclusion of hate crime experiences within the victim feedback.

Working Groups and Work Programme

Andrew Davies provided a verbal update on the Planning and Performance Working Group, highlighting positive feedback on Warwickshire's best practice in local criminal justice board integration. The group agreed to conduct a deep dive into shoplifting and discussed out-of-court disposals and court backlogs. The panel reviewed its work programme, with future items including the annual report, appointment of chair and vice-chair, and further working group appointments. A discussion arose regarding the police policy on using blue lights for non-emergencies, with a commitment to ask a specific question on this topic. The ASB report will be presented in October, and the timeline for the Chief Constable appointment process was discussed.

The meeting concluded with the panel noting the dates of future meetings and confirming there were no urgent items.