POLICE in Devon and Cornwall have been criticised for not always responding quick enough to children at risk of sexual exploitation.

The force also detains too many children in custody unnecessarily.

The comments came in a report regarding the force's child protection work from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.

It follows on from an initial report last July, which found there were areas of concern meaning children were not receiving the service they deserve.

A post-inspection review in April 216 highlighted areas of improvement.

However, inspectors said they were concerned to find:

  • Unnecessary delays in some child protection investigations allocated to non-specialist teams, because additional risk, which required a more specialist approach, was not highlighted at the earliest opportunity;
  • in some cases the risk of a child being sexually exploited was not always responded to quickly enough – some children were still being reported missing a considerable number of times before any meaningful intervention;
  • the force’s arrangements for dealing with children in custody still requires improvement, as currently too many children are still being detained in police custody unnecessarily. For things to improve, the force needs to liaise effectively with local authorities to identify suitable alternative accommodation.

The force said it knew they were still areas that needed to be improved, and that work has already started on doing so.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: "The force still faces challenges which it must overcome to ensure children are protected in all areas.

“We found delays to child protection investigations, as well as delays in responding to cases where children were at risk of sexual exploitation.

"These delays can result in children being at risk of significant harm, and need to be addressed promptly.

"The force also needs to improve how it liaises with local authorities, in order to prevent children being detained unnecessarily in police custody."

But the force was praised for making good progress in other areas, including:

  • some improvements in relation to how it recognises and responds to child sexual exploitation (CSE), including the introduction of a risk-based tracking process to provide regular oversight and scrutiny of children identified as being at risk, and how it monitors the implementation of protective plans;

  • improvements in the force’s referral and risk assessment processes, including the development of a dedicated central safeguarding team to assess more effectively and identify risks to vulnerable children; and

  • the force has implemented a programme to provide additional vulnerability training to all frontline staff, as a result of which these staff have greater awareness of the link between those who regularly go missing from home and CSE.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams added: “Following our second inspection, it was clear that Devon and Cornwall Police is committed to improving how it protects children.

"We found examples of good practice in how it recognises and responds to child sexual exploitation, and its risk assessment of vulnerable children. 

“Although there are areas of concern, we are encouraged by the progress the force has made in other areas, and HMIC will continue monitor its performance closely.”

Devon and Cornwall Police said they welcomed the latest report. 

Detective Superintendent Keith Perkin, head of Public Protection said: “We are pleased that the HMIC has recognised clearly in their report our commitment to improving how we protect children, and that they are encouraged by the progress the Force has made since they first visited us in 2015.

“There are always areas to focus on and the report gives us clear direction on how we can further protect children; the good news is much of that work has already started.

“We have provided training to over 2,000 frontline staff and continue to train more to ensure that the Force can effectively respond to and investigate child protection concerns.

"We have also invited 50 officers into a central safeguarding team who will focus on and improve our assessment of risk to children; we also work closely with youth agency forums across the force to help us effectively intervene, sooner.

“Devon and Cornwall Police have also agreed upon a new protocol which directly deals with children when it is necessary to keep them in custody after they have committed an offence; this new protocol will see us work with local partners to ensure these children are placed in appropriate accommodation wherever possible.”

“Whilst this report is largely positive and we are already implementing a number of the recommendations made by HMIC, we are fully aware that there is more to do.

“However, we hope the above will reassure our public that, as stated by HMIC, there is a clear commitment by Devon and Cornwall Police in this area and clear progress is being made. This is down to the commitment and dedication of all our officers and staff, who continue to do all they can to protect children.”