The Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday 23 April 2026 to discuss a range of policing and crime-related matters. Key discussions included updates on road safety initiatives, the ongoing PEEL inspection, the work of the Joint Audit and Standards Committee, and the output of Operation Resolve, an initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour. The Panel also received an update on the victim strategy and reviewed the work programme.

Road Safety and National Policing Reforms

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe provided an update on his national role as road safety lead, highlighting the recently published road safety strategy. This strategy includes proposals for minimum learning periods for novice drivers, mandatory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and above, a lower permitted blood alcohol level, and reforms to motorcycle training. The Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is developing its own response to the consultation. Seccombe expressed that current regulations for young drivers do not go far enough, citing instances of young drivers causing fatal collisions in Warwickshire.

Discussions also touched upon potential national police force reforms, with Seccombe attending a meeting with Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe regarding the reduction of police forces. Seccombe expressed scepticism about potential cost savings, suggesting it might increase costs due to redundancies and IT system incompatibilities. He also voiced concerns that fewer forces could lead to increased central control by politicians, potentially diminishing the independence of chief constables. The Panel discussed the implications of these reforms for accountability structures, with concerns raised about the potential for reduced scrutiny if forces become larger and cover multiple unitary authorities.

PEEL Report Update

An update was provided on the HMICFRS (His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) PEEL report, specifically addressing a cause of concern regarding the response to the public. While performance figures for call answering times were improving, with 94% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds and an average response time of 2.29 minutes for 101 calls, there were still abandoned calls. The report indicated that abandoned call rates had reduced from over 40% to under 20%, but this remained a concern. The Panel also discussed the effectiveness of back-end processes, including investigation and charging, with Councillor Keith Kondakor raising a specific case where a drink-driver was not charged. The Commissioner acknowledged that the effectiveness of calls and the flow of information between different police departments were being monitored, and that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) requires sufficient evidence for charges to be brought.

Warwickshire Joint Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2025

John Anderson, Chair of the Warwickshire Joint Audit and Standards Committee (WJASC), presented the committee's annual report for 2025. He highlighted that the committee had provided assurance over the effectiveness of governance arrangements for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Chief Constable. The report noted that external auditors had provided clear audited opinions on statutory accounts and value for money, and internal auditors had provided substantial opinions. The WJASC had conducted nine deep dive reviews on topics including performance management, information assurance, and communications in a crisis. Anderson expressed concern about the potential loss of robust governance frameworks with the impending abolition of PCCs, stating it would be a backward note. The committee's focus for the coming year includes police reforms, performance management, records management system changes, and culture and standards.

Operation Resolve (Anti-Social Behaviour) Output Information

Philip Seccombe reported on the output of Operation Resolve, a two-year initiative funded by the Home Office to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence. The operation received £1 million annually, which funded increased visible patrols and problem-solving activities in identified hotspot areas. While the funding has now ended, discussions are underway to embed ASB patrolling into business as usual operations. The report indicated mixed results, with a decrease in ASB in targeted hotspots but some displacement to bordering areas. Serious violence saw a force-wide decrease, with a greater reduction observed closer to patrol locations. The report detailed specific performance metrics for each town involved, noting increases in ASB in some areas, such as Bedworth and Stratford-upon-Avon, attributed to factors like street drinking and issues around specific retail locations. The Panel discussed the challenges of measuring displaced ASB and the importance of continued focus on this issue, especially given the impact on residents' quality of life and trust in policing. An evaluation report on Operation Resolve was expected by mid-June 2026.

Victim Strategy Update

Emma Daniell, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, provided an update on the victim strategy. The strategic board, established to provide oversight and challenge, aims to improve outcomes for victims and is aligned with the wider police and crime plan. A victim needs assessment has been conducted, and a subgroup of 38 victims will provide lived experience feedback. The strategy also aims to identify and support 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 board has met once, with positive feedback, and another meeting was scheduled. The Panel discussed the inclusion of cross-border victims and the potential for seeing the victim needs assessment report. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of scrutiny boards for rape and serious sexual offences, with a desire to understand why these had seemingly stopped and how victims in such cases could be better supported.

Report of the Working Groups

Andrew Davies provided an update from the Planning and Performance Working Group. He highlighted positive feedback on Warwickshire's local criminal justice board, which has been recognised as a best practice example for integration and collaboration. The group agreed to conduct a deep dive into shoplifting and discussed out-of-court disposals and court backlogs. Future discussions will also focus on workforce planning and the evolving operational landscape.

Work Programme

The Panel reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Key items include the annual report, the appointment of a chair and vice-chair, and the appointment of working groups. A question was raised about the police policy on using blue lights for non-emergencies, with the Panel agreeing to ask a specific question on this topic. The ASB report update was scheduled for October, and the Panel was informed about the process for appointing a new Chief Constable and the potential need for a special meeting to confirm the candidate. An invitation for the new Chief Constable to attend a future meeting was also discussed.

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