Jack Dromey MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Policing, responding to the HMIC report: ‘State of Policing: The Annual Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2012 – 13’, said:

“Today’s HMIC report raises serious questions about the future of British policing. Public trust in the police has been damaged by allegations of misconduct, failed investigations and cover-ups. HMIC is right to say that British policing is not broken - most police officers work incredibly hard and do a very good job - but all forces need to play their part in restoring confidence in police standards.

“Labour have been saying for some time that crime is changing and that policing needs to keep pace with the modern world. In particular, more needs to be done to tackle online crime, which has risen sharply in recent years. The Government need to work with the police to introduce much needed reforms – including better training, sharing of data and cooperation with the private sector.

“HMIC is also right to focus on the importance of crime prevention – not only as a means of making efficiency savings, but to create safer, stronger communities. Theresa May’s narrow definition of the police as simply ‘crime fighters’ ignores this vital role and is undermining one of the fundamental principles of British policing.”