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South Wales Police hasn’t made the improvements needed in how it responds to calls from the public, uses police powers fairly, carries out investigations or prevents crime, the police inspectorate has said.

Get the report : PEEL 2025–2027: An inspection of South Wales Police

Cael yr adroddiad : PEEL 2025–27: Arolygiad o Heddlu De Cymru

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded South Wales Police’s performance across eight areas of policing and found the force was adequate in four areas and requires improvement in four areas.

HMICFRS found senior leaders prioritised safeguarding vulnerable people, with strong governance arrangements and increasing its use of preventative orders to protect victims.

The inspectorate also found the force clearly links its funding to operational priorities and has an innovative approach to improving workforce culture and tackling misogyny. Inspectors said the force maintains a commitment to recruiting a diverse workforce and encouraging people to stay working for it.

However, the inspectorate found the force isn’t as effective at using police powers fairly, or at preventing and deterring crime, compared to the previous inspection. While the force has responded well to the inspectorate’s previous report by training its neighbourhood policing teams effectively, its performance in other aspects of neighbourhood policing, such as problem-solving, has declined.

HMICFRS also found the force needs to improve how it responds to calls from the public. Inspectors found it took too long for officers to attend incidents, particularly those involving reports of domestic abuse, and too often it didn’t provide the correct advice on preventing crime and safeguarding.

Since the previous inspection, the force has implemented a scrutiny process to improve criminal investigations, however inspectors found this work hasn’t yet had a positive impact on the quality of investigations or how they are supervised.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Kathryn Stone OBE said:

“I am satisfied with the performance of South Wales Police in its leadership and force management and in aspects of how it safeguards vulnerable people.

“Since our last inspection, the force hasn’t made the expected improvements in how it responds to calls from the public or investigates crime. The force also isn’t as effective at using police powers fairly and appropriately, or at preventing and deterring crime, compared to the previous inspection.

“I am optimistic that South Wales Police will respond positively to our findings. It has the leadership, governance and processes it needs to make the required improvements, and these must now translate into effective practice. I will continue to monitor the force’s performance.”

Get the report : PEEL 2025–2027: An inspection of South Wales Police

Cael yr adroddiad : PEEL 2025–27: Arolygiad o Heddlu De Cymru

Notes

• For further information, please contact the HMICFRS Press Office on 0300 071 6781 or HMICPressOffice@hmicfrs.gov.uk.
• The PEEL inspection programme is our regular assessment of the effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy of police forces in England and Wales.
• The PEEL programme is reviewed at the end of each cycle to consider changes in the policing landscape and findings from our inspections. Read more information about the PEEL assessment framework 2025-27.