Recent HMICFRS thematic inspections — cross-cutting reviews of how policing handles specific issues (rape, mental health, vulnerability, child protection, neighbourhood policing).
HMICFRS publishes thematic inspection reports covering specific themes across the service — distinct from the per-force PEEL reports at /accountability/force-ratings. Last refreshed: 2026-06-20.
2025-11-12
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services will carry out a thematic inspection of the firearms licensing system across police forces in England and Wales, examining how police forces maintain public safety while ensuring lawful possession of firearms.
2024-11-20
This consultation outlines the proposed programme of inspections for the Criminal Justice System from 2025 to 2027, indicating that some inspections will be joint efforts by multiple inspectorates. The consultation seeks public input on prioritization of themes and suggestions for additional topics to include in the inspection program.
2024-09-30
The consultation document outlines the intended inspection programme for policing from April 2025 to March 2029, focusing on themes and policing activities that matter most to the public. It invites feedback on proposed thematic inspections and the PEEL assessment framework, as well as input on emerging problems in policing.
2023-08-25
This inspection examined the demographic data related to police criminal justice decisions, focusing on race disparity. It assessed how police forces understand, scrutinise, and communicate their efforts regarding race-based inequalities that impact community trust. The report highlights improvements in the policing of racist crimes and the promotion of equality, while identifying ongoing challenges in data recording and transparency.
2023-08-11
This inspection examined how effectively the police understood, and contributed to the prevention of, homicides, focusing on the patterns of homicide in their areas, the underlying causes, and the effectiveness of their responses. It assessed the use of the homicide prevention framework by the police forces in England and Wales.
2023-07-19
The thematic inspection examines how fire and rescue services in England are handling misconduct, particularly the implementation of recommendations from a previous spotlight report on values and culture. Key areas of focus include misconduct identification, investigation processes, staff confidence in raising concerns, and the role of fire and rescue authorities in addressing misconduct.
2023-03-08
The HMICFRS examined how effectively the police address serious youth violence, particularly focusing on individuals aged 14 to 24. This inspection reviewed strategies implemented since the Home Office's 2018 Serious Violence Strategy and incorporated research on the experiences of victims and offenders.
2022-11-02
The inspection assessed the police forces' vetting processes and their ability to handle misconduct and misogyny, especially following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer. Key findings highlighted deficiencies in vetting, the need for better management of misconduct, and inadequate counter-corruption capabilities within the police service.
2022-07-29
This document outlines HMICFRS's inspection programme and framework for policing that commenced in April 2022, detailing various types of inspections planned over the next three years including PEEL assessments and national thematic inspections. Key objectives focus on public value, system-wide approaches, and proactive responses to challenges in policing.
2022-06-22
The inspection examines how effectively the police and other law enforcement bodies respond to victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation (CSE) in England and Wales. It will assess current policing practices, data collection on CSE offenders, attitudes towards victims, and the quality of criminal investigations.
2022-02-25
This joint inspection report examines the investigation and prosecution of rape cases in England and Wales, specifically from the point of charge through to conclusion. It includes feedback from victims, police, and CPS regarding their experiences within the criminal justice system, offering a comprehensive assessment of its current approach to handling rape cases.
2021-12-20
The HMICFRS thematic inspection will evaluate the effectiveness of police vetting and counter-corruption measures across England and Wales. It aims to assess the rigor of vetting standards, the transfer and management of officers, and how forces handle potential corruption and prejudicial behavior, especially misogyny within the police service.
2021-11-17
This inspection examined the progress of individuals with mental health needs and disorders throughout the criminal justice system, starting from their initial contact with the police to their release from prison. The joint inspection involved multiple agencies, including Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and resulted in insights on the effectiveness of the current processes.
2021-07-16
This inspection report examines the response, decision-making, and effectiveness of the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concerning rape cases where no further action was taken. It evaluates the experiences of victims and the support provided by the police and CPS through a review of case files and consultations with stakeholders.
2021-05-17
The inspection examined how the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) managed the attendance at Bobby Storey's funeral during the COVID-19 lockdown. It found that public health regulations were confusing, which contributed to the PSNI's challenges in enforcement and engagement prior to the funeral. Ultimately, the Public Prosecution Service decided not to pursue any prosecutions related to the event.
2021-04-07
This thematic inspection, commissioned by the Home Secretary, examines how police forces in England and Wales handle cases involving female victims of crime and their engagement with women and girls. The report highlights the need for improved practices and policies to support female victims effectively.
2021-03-25
This document outlines HMICFRS's inspection programme and framework for policing in 2020/21, highlighting revisions made to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plans included various types of inspections such as PEEL assessments, thematic inspections, and joint inspections, ensuring a focus on improving public safety and reducing crime without overburdening police forces.
2020-07-15
The inspection found that since 2013, the number of road deaths in England and Wales has levelled off, with recent signs of an increase. It highlighted a decline in the enforcement of traffic laws, particularly regarding drink/drug driving and seatbelt usage. The inspection assessed the effectiveness of national and local roads policing strategies, police engagement with the public, and officer training, resulting in 13 recommendations to enhance roads policing effectiveness.
2020-07-10
The report outlines the revised consultation for the HMICFRS 2020/21 policing inspection programme, initiated after the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant adjustments in police operations. Key findings include a focus on the policing response to COVID-19, joint inspections of rape case investigations, and inspections of regional organized crime units, all adjusted to reflect current challenges without increasing burdens on forces.
2020-02-28
The inspection examined the operational status of Integrated Offender Management (IOM) following the Transforming Rehabilitation reform, specifically the impact of cross-agency collaboration on crime and reoffending. It found that while IOM aimed to address serious harm and reoffending, there were challenges due to reduced police numbers and varied implementation across different areas.
2020-02-27
The 2019 thematic report examines the effectiveness of police interactions with children throughout various stages, including initial contact and the investigation of offenses. It highlights key findings from a series of inspections assessing police forces' structures and their treatment of children in custody, ultimately calling for adaptations in police services and government responses for improved child protection.
2019-02-08
The HMICFRS consultation outlined its proposed police inspection programme for 2019/20, focusing on national thematic inspections, joint inspections, and assessments from national law enforcement agencies. The consultation invited feedback on emerging policing issues and the relevance of proposed thematic areas, such as counter-terrorism and child protection.
2018-01-22
The report outlines HMICFRS’ proposed policing inspection programme for 2018/19, which includes national thematic inspections, joint inspections, and integrated PEEL assessments. It solicits feedback on specific thematic areas such as counter-terrorism, fraud, cyber-crime, and child protection, as well as proposed approaches to risk assessment and the use of monitoring information.
2017-01-20
This consultation sought public views on HMIC's proposed inspection programme for 2017/18, which included national thematic inspections, joint inspections, and other assessments. Key areas of focus were leadership in policing and specific thematic inspections on hate crime, counter-terrorism, child protection, and crime data integrity.
2015-02-04
The joint thematic inspection examined the police and Crown Prosecution Service's handling of investigations and prosecutions arising from fatal road traffic incidents. It highlighted key areas for improvement in the investigation processes and the need for better collaboration between the services involved in these cases.
2015-01-28
This consultation sought feedback on HMIC’s proposed inspection programme for 2015/16, which includes national thematic inspections, joint inspections, PEEL assessments, and commissions from various authorities. The key areas for input included the appropriateness of the proposed areas for inspection and potential overlaps with other organizations' work.
2012-05-09
This report is part of a series on police custody inspections by HMIC and HMI Prisons. It examines strategy, treatment and conditions, individual rights, and health care, contributing to the UK's international obligations for regular inspection of all detention places.
2012-02-07
The inspection revisited recommendations from a 2009 report on the experiences of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system, focusing on young victims and witnesses who are among the most vulnerable. It assessed how recommendations have been addressed and what progress has been made while highlighting key areas needing improvement.
2010-03-24
The inspection examined the effectiveness of asset recovery processes, specifically focusing on restraint and confiscation casework. Key findings highlighted the need for improved coordination among agencies involved, as well as recommendations for enhancing the legal and operational framework to better support asset recovery efforts.
2002-01-01
The inspection examined the processes surrounding firearms licensing, evaluating how well police forces handle applications and ensure public safety. Key findings included identified weaknesses in application assessments and insufficient attention to monitoring licensed individuals.
Source: HMICFRS publications · Licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0.