// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Police forces failing investigation basics, says inspectorate report
Many police forces in England and Wales still need to make improvements in the way they investigate crime and other "basics" of policing, according to His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).
In her annual report, Michelle Skeer also said too many victims were not receiving the quality of service they should expect.
Forces continue to struggle when it comes to gathering evidence, identifying and progressing lines of inquiry, and keeping victims updated on their cases, she added.
There was progress in neighbourhood policing and in some of the work carried out by regional organised crime units that focus on offenders across multiple local police force boundaries, the report said.
The report continued that the greatest strength of policing is its workforce, with the vast majority of officers showing professionalism and courage.
HMIC inspects all 43 police forces in England and Wales on a two-year cycle.
Out of 13 forces assessed in the current cycle, including Merseyside, Cumbria, and Devon & Cornwall, none received a good or outstanding rating for investigating crime or providing a safe and lawful custody environment.
The other forces assessed were Suffolk, Staffordshire, Thames Valley, West Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, North Yorkshire, Humberside and Kent.
The report says "too many forces still weren't getting the basics right or providing the public with a consistently good service in the areas that matter most to victims".
Beyond weaknesses in investigations, the report highlights gaps in how forces respond to the public, including delays in handling emergency and non-emergency calls, and in response times to incidents.