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City of London Police — Inspection History

Published HMICFRS inspection reports for City of London Police: grades, key findings and recommendations over time.

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His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently inspects police forces in England and Wales. This page collects the published inspection reports we have indexed for City of London Police — for the latest PEEL assessment snapshot, see the current HMICFRS rating.

PEEL 2023–2025: An inspection of the City of London Police

2025-07-24 · peel report

This report sets out the findings for the City of London Police as part of HMICFRS's assessment of police forces in England and Wales, focusing on police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in the City of London Police

2023-06-16 · thematic report

In October 2022, HMICFRS inspected the City of London Police to assess the effectiveness of its vetting, IT monitoring, and counter-corruption arrangements. The findings highlight areas for improvement in the force's approach to these critical functions.

Overall effectiveness: requires improvement
Key findings (8)
  • The force has a satisfactory vetting process in place.
  • IT monitoring practices are inconsistent across the organization.
  • Training on counter-corruption measures needs enhancement.
  • Documentation of vetting decisions is inadequate.
  • The force has established a dedicated counter-corruption unit.
  • There are gaps in the understanding of staff responsibilities regarding integrity issues.
  • Engagement with staff on ethical practices is limited.
  • Collaboration with external partners is underdeveloped.
Recommendations (8)
  • Improve the consistency of IT monitoring across the force.
  • Enhance training programs on counter-corruption measures for all staff.
  • Implement clear documentation protocols for vetting decisions.
  • Increase awareness of integrity responsibilities among staff.
  • Regularly evaluate the performance of the counter-corruption unit.
  • Foster better engagement with staff on ethical practices.
  • Strengthen external partnerships related to integrity issues.
  • Review and update vetting procedures for effectiveness.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL 2021/22 – An inspection of the City of London Police

2023-04-13 · peel report

This report presents the findings of the PEEL assessment for the City of London Police, evaluating the force on effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy. The assessment highlights the police force's performance in these key areas.

Effectiveness: GoodEfficiency: GoodLegitimacy: Good
Key findings (3)
  • The City of London Police has demonstrated good effectiveness in preventing and investigating crime.
  • Efficiency measures have been effectively implemented, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently.
  • The legitimacy of the police force is upheld, with trust and confidence from the community being evident.
Recommendations (3)
  • Enhance community engagement strategies to maintain public trust.
  • Implement further training programs for officers on public interactions.
  • Continue to assess and improve operational efficiency through technology.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London – National child protection inspection post-inspection review

2022-05-11 · thematic report

This inspection reviewed the progress made in City of London Police since the publication of the last report in 2020. It examined policies, strategies, and 26 child protection incidents, concluding that while some improvements were noted, further work is necessary.

Child Protection Incidents: Requires ImprovementChild Protection Outcomes: InadequateChild Protection Practices: Good
Key findings (4)
  • The inspection showed a mix of outcomes, with 9 cases rated as good, 14 requiring improvement, and 3 being inadequate.
  • The City's leadership is engaged in addressing child protection issues.
  • Focus groups with frontline staff highlighted areas for improvement in policies.
  • The force has made progress since the last inspection in 2020.
Recommendations (4)
  • Improve strategies for handling child protection incidents.
  • Enhance training for staff on child protection policies.
  • Increase engagement with front-line staff to gather insights.
  • Develop a more robust auditing process for child protection cases.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London - National child protection inspection

2020-07-10 · national report

This inspection examined child protection in City of London Police between November and December 2019. It focuses on the police's critical role in protecting children and the collaborative efforts with other agencies.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy 2018/19 – City of London Police

2019-05-02 · peel report

This report assesses the City of London Police based on effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy for the year 2018/19. It combines these categories into a single integrated inspection to evaluate the force's performance in keeping people safe and reducing crime.

Effectiveness: GoodEfficiency: GoodLegitimacy: Good
Key findings (8)
  • The force has adapted well to the challenges it faces in policing.
  • It is effective in preventing crime and reducing harm to the most vulnerable.
  • Staff training has improved, contributing to better service delivery.
  • Partnership work with local organizations enhances community safety.
  • The force's use of technology is advancing but still requires further investment.
  • Clear leadership is evident within the force.
  • The force engaged effectively with the public for feedback and insights.
  • Financial management is sound and allows for operational flexibility.
Recommendations (8)
  • Enhance the use of data analytics to drive performance improvements.
  • Increase transparency in decision making to reinforce public confidence.
  • Implement further training programs focused on emerging crime trends.
  • Maintain focus on diversity and inclusion within the workforce.
  • Strengthen partnership working with community organizations.
  • Invest in technology to improve response times and service delivery.
  • Continuously evaluate and adjust resources to meet changing demands.
  • Enhance public communication strategies to effectively share information.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Police – Joint inspection of police custody

2019-03-26 · thematic report

This inspection into City of London Police is one of a series on police custody inspections carried out jointly by HMI Prisons and HMICFRS. The programme looks at strategy, treatment and conditions, individual rights and health care. It also contributes to the UK’s response to its international obligation to ensure regular and independent inspection of all places of detention.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Complaints and misconduct file review 2018 - City of London Police

2019-01-25 · thematic report

The HMICFRS review assessed the City of London Police's compliance with communication requirements concerning complaints. Findings highlight that the force did not fully adhere to protocols for engaging with complainants, prompting the review.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police effectiveness 2017 – City of London Police

2018-03-22 · peel report

As part of the annual inspections of police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL), HMICFRS assessed how effective the City of London Police is at keeping people safe and reducing crime across five areas.

Effectiveness of crime prevention and tackling anti-social behaviour: GoodEffectiveness in investigating crime and reducing re-offending: GoodProtection of vulnerable individuals from harm and support for victims: GoodTackling serious and organised crime: GoodSpecialist capabilities of the force: Good
Key findings (5)
  • The City of London Police is effective at preventing crime.
  • The force tackles anti-social behaviour effectively.
  • The police are strong in investigating crimes and reducing re-offending.
  • Vulnerable people are well-protected and supported by the force.
  • The City of London Police is successful in addressing serious and organised crime.
Recommendations (5)
  • Continue to enhance strategies for community engagement.
  • Increase collaboration with partner agencies to improve crime prevention efforts.
  • Focus on further training for officers on vulnerability awareness.
  • Expand resources dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime.
  • Improve data sharing practices with other forces.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police legitimacy 2017 - City of London Police

2017-12-12 · peel report

This inspection evaluated how the City of London Police treat people with fairness and respect, ensuring lawful and ethical conduct within their workforce. The report presents findings specifically for City of London Police and reviews national themes regarding police legitimacy.

Legitimacy: not specified
Key findings (3)
  • Forces treat people with fairness and respect.
  • Workforces act ethically and lawfully.
  • Workforces feel treated with fairness and respect.
Recommendations (2)
  • Follow up with effectiveness reports in early 2018.
  • Consider addressing stop and search disparities.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police efficiency 2017 - City of London Police

2017-11-09 · peel report

This report examines how well the City of London Police understand the demand for their services, match resources to that demand, and plan for future demands. It provides an assessment of their efficiency as part of the annual PEEL assessment process.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Abuse of position assessment - City of London Police

2017-10-05 · peel report

This publication reviews the ability of police forces to seek intelligence on potential abuse of position for sexual gain, highlighting the City of London Police's plans in response to this national concern identified in 2016.

Key findings (4)
  • A national cause of concern was identified regarding forces' ability to seek intelligence on abuse of position.
  • HMICFRS recommended all forces implement plans to address potential abuse of position for sexual gain.
  • The 2017 review assessed the plans provided by police forces in response to the previous recommendations.
  • A letter was sent to City of London Police's chief constable detailing the assessment of their force's plan.
Recommendations (1)
  • All forces must continue to improve their capacity to seek intelligence on abuse of position for sexual gain.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police effectiveness 2016 – City of London Police

2017-03-02 · peel report

HMIC assessed how effective the City of London Police force is at keeping people safe and reducing crime, focusing on five key areas of policing.

Overall effectiveness: Good
Key findings (5)
  • The force is effective at preventing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour.
  • The force successfully investigates crime and reduces re-offending.
  • Vulnerable individuals are well-protected and supported by the force.
  • The force effectively tackles serious and organised crime.
  • Specialist capabilities of the force are effective.
Recommendations (5)
  • Continued investment in community policing.
  • Enhanced training for dealing with vulnerable populations.
  • Improvement in data collection on crime rates.
  • Increased collaboration with local agencies.
  • Regular review of anti-social behaviour strategies.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Best Use of Stop and Search revisit – City of London Police

2017-02-02 · thematic report

This report assesses City of London Police's compliance with the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme following an inspection that identified it was not fully complying with several aspects of the scheme. The review highlights progress and ongoing issues relating to transparency and community involvement in stop and search practices.

Overall Compliance: Requires Improvement
Key findings (5)
  • City of London Police was previously non-compliant with key features of the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme.
  • The revisit identified improvements but noted ongoing compliance issues.
  • The scheme aims to increase transparency and community involvement in stop and search cases.
  • Public participation was encouraged through community observation policies.
  • The police force needs to monitor the impact of stop and search on diverse communities effectively.
Recommendations (5)
  • Enhance public reporting mechanisms related to stop and search incidents.
  • Increase training for officers on community engagement during stop and search.
  • Develop strategies to better monitor the scheme's impact on youth and minority groups.
  • Implement community feedback systems to assess public perception of stop and search.
  • Review compliance issues regularly to ensure sustained adherence to the scheme.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police legitimacy 2016 - City of London Police

2016-12-08 · peel report

This report assesses how City of London Police treat people with fairness and respect, ensure their workforce acts ethically and lawfully, and how the workforce feels treated in return. It follows a national assessment of legitimacy and is part of the annual PEEL assessment.

Overall Legitimacy: Good
Key findings (5)
  • City of London Police treats people fairly and respectfully.
  • The workforce acts ethically and lawfully.
  • The police staff feels treated with fairness.
  • There are overarching themes present in the national overview.
  • The police force implements plans to address potential abuse of position for sexual gain.
Recommendations (5)
  • Continue to enhance measures for ethical conduct.
  • Strengthen community engagement practices.
  • Implement ongoing training for all staff on fairness and respect.
  • Ensure transparency in decision-making processes.
  • Regularly assess the effectiveness of current strategies.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police efficiency 2016 - City of London Police

2016-11-03 · peel report

This inspection report assesses how well the City of London Police understand the demand for their service and how efficiently they match resources to that demand. It provides insights into their overall efficiency and sets the stage for future assessments on legitimacy and effectiveness.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Police effectiveness 2015 – City of London Police

2016-02-18 · peel report

The HMIC's effectiveness programme evaluated the City of London Police's capacity to ensure public safety and mitigate crime. It considered multiple aspects of policing, including crime prevention and investigations.

Overall effectiveness: GoodCrime prevention: GoodInvestigating crime: Requires improvementManaging offenders: GoodProtecting vulnerable people: GoodSupporting victims: GoodTackling serious and organised crime: Good
Key findings (8)
  • The force is good at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.
  • The quality of investigations remains disappointing.
  • There is effective management of offenders.
  • Support services for victims are robust.
  • The police have solid arrangements for tackling serious crime.
  • Vulnerability-related initiatives are effective.
  • Pursuit strategies for serious offenders are effective.
  • Resources are allocated appropriately for crime prevention.
Recommendations (8)
  • Improve the quality of investigative practices.
  • Enhance training for detectives to ensure higher standards.
  • Develop a more comprehensive approach to managing offenders.
  • Strengthen strategies for protecting vulnerable individuals.
  • Increase public engagement to enhance community policing.
  • Implement better systems for victim follow-up and support.
  • Allocate resources more effectively based on crime trends.
  • Conduct regular reviews of effectiveness initiatives to drive continual improvement.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Police legitimacy 2015 – City of London Police

2016-02-11 · peel report

As part of its annual inspections into police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL), HMIC’s legitimacy programme assessed how legitimate the force is at keeping people safe and reducing crime. The inspection focused on whether a force was consistently behaving in a way that is fair, reasonable, effective and lawful, and if it has the consent of the public.

Legitimacy: Requires Improvement
Key findings (8)
  • City of London Police was one of 19 forces failing to comply with aspects of the Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme.
  • The inspection focused on fair and reasonable behavior of the force towards the public.
  • HMIC found that public consent and community engagement were crucial for legitimacy.
  • The report emphasizes the need for transparency in police operations.
  • Leadership accountability was identified as a key factor in driving improvements.
  • Compliance with legal standards was assessed and reviewed.
  • Overall effectiveness will be evaluated in subsequent reports.
  • Revisit reports confirmed the need for ongoing improvements.
Recommendations (8)
  • Increase training on stop and search protocols.
  • Enhance community outreach programs to build trust.
  • Implement regular audits of police activity.
  • Improve internal reporting mechanisms for complaints.
  • Strengthen leadership oversight on compliance issues.
  • Increase transparency in public police interactions.
  • Address identified shortcomings in police operations.
  • Foster partnerships with local organizations to improve legitimacy.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Police effectiveness 2015 (Vulnerability) – City of London Police

2015-12-15 · peel report

As part of its annual inspections into police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL), HMIC’s effectiveness programme assessed how well forces keep people safe and reduce crime. This report examined the overall question of how effective forces are at protecting vulnerable individuals and supporting victims, particularly focusing on missing children and domestic abuse victims.

Vulnerability: Good
Key findings (8)
  • Forces are effective in protecting vulnerable individuals.
  • Domestic abuse victims receive timely support.
  • There is a strong focus on safeguarding children.
  • Police response to missing children is generally positive.
  • Collaboration with local services is improving.
  • Training for officers addressing vulnerabilities is essential.
  • Public awareness of support services is growing.
  • Improvements are needed in data collection.
Recommendations (8)
  • Strengthen the approach to missing persons.
  • Enhance training for police on vulnerability.
  • Increase collaboration with community services.
  • Boost public confidence in reporting vulnerabilities.
  • Regularly assess the support provided to victims.
  • Utilize data effectively to track improvements.
  • Increase awareness of victim support programs.
  • Ensure timely follow-ups with domestic abuse cases.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Witness for the prosecution: Identifying victim and witness vulnerability in criminal case files – City of London Police

2015-11-12 · thematic report

This report reviews the quality of criminal case files, focusing on how effectively the police identify the vulnerability of victims and witnesses. It emphasizes the importance of accurate documentation for supporting vulnerable individuals in the justice process.

Key findings (8)
  • The report highlights the essential roles of the police and CPS in the criminal justice system.
  • Inaccuracies in identifying vulnerability can affect victims' ability to provide evidence.
  • Police effectiveness in providing case information is crucial for court presentations.
  • Identifying vulnerability should be a standard part of case documentation.
  • There is inconsistency in managing the needs of vulnerable victims and witnesses.
  • The review shows areas needing improvement in case file quality.
  • Risk assessment for victims and witnesses is necessary for their protection.
  • Proper management could enhance the experience for vulnerable individuals in the justice system.
Recommendations (8)
  • Enhance training for police officers on identifying victim and witness vulnerabilities.
  • Standardize procedures for documenting vulnerability in case files.
  • Implement regular audits of criminal case files for quality control.
  • Increase collaboration between police and CPS to support vulnerable individuals.
  • Develop clear guidelines for assessing risks associated with vulnerable witnesses.
  • Provide additional resources for officers to assist in case management.
  • Establish feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement in case handling.
  • Raise awareness about the importance of accurate documentation among law enforcement agencies.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London – Response to the funding challenge

2013-07-18 · national report

This report identifies how the City of London police plans to meet budget demands following a 20% central funding reduction announced by the Government in October 2010. It tracks the plans for savings initiated since summer 2011.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London – Revisiting police relationships: progress report

2012-12-18 · thematic report

This report revisits the findings from the 2011 publication, _Without Fear or Favour_, focusing on police relationships and the progress made since then. While some improvements in managing threats to integrity have been observed, further work is required to address identified issues.

Key findings (4)
  • The 2011 report found no evidence of endemic corruption in police relationships.
  • There has been some progress in establishing processes and policies to manage integrity threats.
  • More efforts are needed from forces to enhance police-media relationships.
  • The revisit indicates that previous concerns haven't been fully addressed.
Recommendations (4)
  • Enhance training for police on integrity issues.
  • Implement stricter policies for media relationships.
  • Increase transparency in police communications.
  • Conduct regular audits of police-media interactions.
Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London - Joint inspection of police custody suites

2012-11-02 · thematic report

This report is one of a series on police custody inspections carried out jointly by HMIC and HMI Prisons. The inspections look at strategy, treatment and conditions, individual rights and health care. They also make a key contribution to the United Kingdom’s response to its international obligation to ensure regular and independent inspection of all places of detention.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London, Policing in austerity: One year on

2012-07-02 · thematic report

This report summarizes the findings for the City of London police force regarding their response to a 20% funding cut over four years starting from March 2011. It assesses the impact of these financial challenges on service delivery to the public, based on data provided in February 2012.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London, anti-social behaviour inspection report, 2012

2012-06-21 · peel report

In Spring 2010, we carried out a review to find out how the police can best tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB). We committed to repeating this inspection in 2012 to check on progress. This report tells you what we found.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London – Review of police crime and incident reports – 2012

2012-01-25 · thematic report

This report looks at the quality of crime and incident data, and the arrangements in place to ensure standards are maintained and improved across the 43 police forces in England and Wales.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London, Valuing the Police preparedness inspection

2011-07-21 · force-specific report

This report evaluates the preparedness of the City of London Police in terms of value for money. The findings indicate areas where the force can enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Anti-social behaviour inspection

2010-09-22 · thematic report

This inspection report evaluates the handling of anti-social behaviour in the City of London. The findings highlight areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in the police response to such issues.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Policing pledge revisit

2010-01-30 · force-specific report

This publication reports on an inspection of the City of London policing pledge. The primary focus was to evaluate the force's commitments and measures related to policing standards and community engagement.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Policing pledge

2009-10-12 · force-specific report

This inspection report evaluates the City of London Police against its policing pledge. The report highlights key findings and performance indicators related to public expectations and police service delivery.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Phase 2, neighbourhood policing/citizen focus

2008-08-30 · baseline report

This report focuses on the second phase of neighbourhood policing in the City of London, emphasizing citizen engagement and community safety initiatives. It evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies and provides insights for improvement.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Phase 2, major crime

2008-06-29 · baseline report

This report assesses the City of London Police's approach to handling major crime during the second phase of their evaluation. It provides a detailed examination of their operational capabilities, strengths, and areas needing improvement.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Baseline assessment 2006

2006-09-29 · baseline report

This document represents the baseline assessment for the City of London Police in 2006. It evaluates various aspects of the police force's performance and service delivery.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Baseline assessment 2005

2005-09-29 · thematic report

The City of London Baseline Assessment evaluates the police force's performance and operations. The report identifies key areas for improvement and offers insights into how the force can enhance its effectiveness.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Police National Computer compliance addendum

2005-07-30 · national report

This report assesses the compliance of the City of London Police with the national computer requirements. The conclusion indicates various levels of compliance with specific recommendations for improvements.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Police National Computer compliance audit

2005-07-30 · national report

This report examines the City of London Police's compliance with the national computer systems. The findings provide insights into effectiveness and areas for improvement in their operations.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

City of London Best value - counter-terrorism

2004-12-31 · thematic report

This report evaluates the counter-terrorism measures implemented by the City of London police. It provides insights into the best value practices and effectiveness in ensuring public safety.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 19 July 2026 · Next review due: 19 January 2027

Source: HMICFRS · Crown copyright, summarised under the Open Government Licence v3.0 · Archive indexed 2026-07-19. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with HMICFRS.