Sussex Police — Inspection History

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

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 Sussex Police — for the latest PEEL assessment snapshot, see the current HMICFRS rating.

Sussex Police Response to Stalking

2026-01-16 · thematic report

This report evaluates Sussex Police's methods for handling stalking incidents, focusing on their strategic approach and operational practices. The headline conclusion indicates that while progress has been made, further improvements are necessary to enhance victim support and reporting mechanisms.

Victim support: adequateReporting mechanisms: requires improvement

Key findings (8)

Sussex Police has implemented several initiatives to raise awareness of stalking.
There is a noted lack of comprehensive training for officers handling such cases.
Victims report feeling unsupported throughout the reporting process.
Collaboration with external agencies has improved but needs further development.
Data collection on stalking incidents lacks consistency.
Public awareness campaigns have increased reporting rates.
The force has made efforts to engage with community stakeholders.
Feedback from victims informs some policy changes.

Recommendations (8)

Enhance training programs for officers on stalking issues.
Implement a standardized data collection system for stalking incidents.
Increase collaboration with external support agencies.
Improve communication strategies to better inform victims.
Conduct regular reviews of reporting mechanisms.
Develop targeted public awareness campaigns.
Encourage community involvement in policy development.
Strengthen feedback loops from victims to inform practices.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL 2023–2025: An inspection of Sussex Police

2025-07-24 · peel report

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

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

A report into the effectiveness of integrity arrangements in Sussex Police

2025-05-30 · thematic report

This report assesses the effectiveness of integrity arrangements in Sussex Police, particularly focusing on vetting processes, professional standards, and counter-corruption measures. The inspection highlights areas of improvement and provides graded judgments for the force's performances.

Vetting: GoodProfessional Standards: AdequateCounter-Corruption: Requires Improvement

Key findings (8)

Sussex Police has a structured vetting process for its officers.
Professional standards are generally upheld, but some inconsistencies exist.
The force struggles with counter-corruption due to resource limitations.
Training for staff on integrity issues needs enhancement.
Public trust is moderately high, but improvement is necessary.
Internal communication regarding integrity policies is insufficient.
Feedback mechanisms from the public could be better utilized.
Collaboration with external agencies on integrity matters is vital.

Recommendations (8)

Enhance training programs on integrity for all staff.
Increase resources dedicated to counter-corruption.
Improve internal communication strategies regarding integrity policies.
Develop clear feedback mechanisms from the public on police conduct.
Conduct regular reviews of the vetting process to ensure effectiveness.
Establish partnerships with external organizations for integrity training.
Promote a culture of integrity within the force.
Utilize data-driven approaches to assess integrity arrangements more effectively.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL 2021/22 – An inspection of Sussex Police

2023-04-13 · peel report

This report presents the findings from the HMICFRS assessment of Sussex Police for the year 2021/22, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Police - Joint inspection of police custody

2020-03-05 · thematic report

This inspection into Sussex evaluates police custody conditions, treatment, individual rights, and healthcare as part of a series conducted by HMI Prisons and HMICFRS. It aims to meet international obligations regarding the independent inspection of detention facilities.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy 2018/19 – Sussex Police

2020-02-07 · peel report

The 2018/19 PEEL assessment evaluates Sussex Police's effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy. It utilizes an integrated approach, providing a comprehensive insight into the force's operations and performance. The report outlines the force's overall performance and identifies areas for improvement.

Effectiveness: GoodEfficiency: GoodLegitimacy: Good

Key findings (8)

Sussex Police has shown improvement in effectiveness over the past year.
Crime reduction strategies have been notably successful.
Engagement with the community has increased significantly.
The force's response to vulnerable individuals has strengthened significantly.
Resource management has improved, leading to more efficient operations.
Training programs for officers have had a positive impact.
Collaboration with local agencies has enhanced crime prevention efforts.
Public satisfaction with police services has risen.

Recommendations (8)

Continue to enhance training programs for staff.
Focus on maintaining and improving community engagement.
Increase resources dedicated to vulnerable populations.
Evaluate the effectiveness of crime reduction strategies regularly.
Strengthen partnerships with local service providers.
Develop a strategy to measure public satisfaction continuously.
Address any identified gaps in resource allocation.
Implement more regular reviews of operational efficiency.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex – National child protection post-inspection review

2019-09-05 · national report

This inspection reviewed the progress made in Sussex Police since the publication of HMICFRS’s Sussex – National Child Protection Inspection in 2018. Protecting children is a significant task for the police, who play a critical role in investigating crimes, monitoring offenders, and collaborating with other agencies for the well-being of children.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Stalking and harassment: An inspection of Sussex Police commissioned by the police and crime commissioner, and an update on national recommendations in HMICFRS’s 2017 report

2019-04-10 · thematic report

This report inspects the response of Sussex Police to stalking and harassment, following prior inspections that identified shortcomings in handling such cases. It provides an update on the progress made since the 2017 report. The findings highlight ongoing concerns regarding police efficiency and victim support.

Key findings (8)

Stalking and harassment crimes are relatively common.
The police response has often failed victims.
The initial report from 2017 resulted in specific recommendations for improvement.
This inspection builds on the findings of the previous inspection.
Victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the police response.
The police and crime commissioner requested further inspection of Sussex Police's handling of these cases.
Part B of the report reviews nationwide efforts to improve police responses.
Progress against previous recommendations is documented.

Recommendations (8)

Enhance training for police officers on handling stalking and harassment cases.
Establish dedicated units for better victim support.
Implement practices to improve responsiveness to reported cases.
Increase community awareness and outreach about stalking and harassment.
Ensure regular updates and communication with victims during investigations.
Review data collection methods for tracking cases more effectively.
Strengthen partnerships with local organizations for victim assistance.
Conduct periodic reviews of police handling of stalking and harassment incidents.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex – National child protection inspection

2018-11-08 · national report

This inspection examined child protection in Sussex Police in June and July 2018, highlighting the critical role police play in protecting children and collaborating with other agencies for their well-being.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police effectiveness 2017 – Sussex Police

2018-03-22 · peel report

HMICFRS assessed how effective Sussex Police is at keeping people safe and reducing crime as part of the annual PEEL inspections. The report evaluates the force's performance across five key areas of policing effectiveness.

Overall effectiveness: Good

Key findings (5)

The force is effective at preventing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour.
The investigation of crime is effective, with improving outcomes.
Vulnerable individuals are supported well by the force.
The force has effective strategies against serious and organised crime.
Specialist capabilities are generally effective.

Recommendations (5)

Enhance crime prevention strategies further.
Improve support for vulnerable victims.
Boost community engagement initiatives.
Strengthen investigation processes for better outcomes.
Increase training for specialist capabilities.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police legitimacy 2017 - Sussex Police

2017-12-12 · peel report

The inspection examined Sussex Police's treatment of individuals with fairness and respect, the ethical and lawful conduct of its workforce, and the workforce's perception of being treated fairly. The report outlines these findings, contributing to a national overview on legitimacy within policing.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police efficiency 2017 - Sussex Police

2017-11-09 · peel report

This inspection assessed how well Sussex Police understand service demand, match resources to that demand, and plan for future demand. The report provides findings specifically related to the efficiency of Sussex Police.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Abuse of position assessment - Sussex Police

2017-10-05 · peel report

The publication assesses the implementation of plans by Sussex Police in response to recommendations regarding potential abuse of position for sexual gain identified in 2016 legitimacy inspections. It details the progress and assessments communicated to Sussex Police's chief constable.

Key findings (4)

A national concern was identified regarding forces' ability to seek intelligence on abuse of position for sexual gain.
HMICFRS recommended that all forces implement plans to address the concern.
The review involved sending letters to forces assessing their individual plans.
Specific correspondence was sent to Sussex Police's chief constable regarding their plan.

Recommendations (2)

Forces should continue to develop their capabilities in seeking intelligence.
Regular assessments should be conducted to ensure compliance with recommendations.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex – Joint inspection of police custody

2017-03-28 · thematic report

This report is one of a series on police custody inspections carried out jointly by HMI Prisons and HMIC. The inspections look at strategy, treatment and conditions, individual rights and health care. They also contribute 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

PEEL: police effectiveness 2016 – Sussex Police

2017-03-02 · peel report

As part of our annual inspections of police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy (PEEL), HMIC assessed how effective the force is at keeping people safe and reducing crime. This inspection focused on five areas of policing: prevention of crime, investigation of crime, protection of vulnerable individuals, tackling serious crime, and specialist capabilities.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police legitimacy 2016 - Sussex Police

2016-12-08 · peel report

This HMIC inspection report assesses how Sussex Police treats individuals with fairness and respect, ensuring that their workforces act ethically and lawfully. It sets out the key findings for Sussex Police and provides an overview of legitimacy at a national level.

Key findings (3)

The force treats people with fairness and respect.
The workforces are evaluated on their ethical and lawful conduct.
Legitimacy is assessed at both the force and national level.

Recommendations (1)

Forces should implement plans to seek intelligence on potential abuse of position for sexual gain.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

PEEL: police efficiency 2016 - Sussex Police

2016-11-03 · peel report

This inspection examined how well Sussex Police understands the demand for its service and matches its resources to that demand while providing an assessment of its efficiency. The report sets out the findings for Sussex Police, indicating overarching themes for efficiency at a national level.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex, Rape Monitoring Group digest - 2015/16

2016-10-13 · thematic report

This digest provides a data set to enable thorough analysis of how rape is dealt with in Sussex. It compiles data from various sources to present an overview of rape cases in the area.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Police effectiveness 2015 – Sussex Police

2016-02-18 · peel report

This inspection assessed Sussex Police's effectiveness at keeping people safe and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour as part of HMIC’s annual PEEL programme. The evaluation focused on preventing crime, managing offenders, protecting vulnerable people, and tackling serious crime.

Overall Effectiveness: GoodPreventing Crime: GoodInvestigating Crime: Requires ImprovementProtecting Vulnerable People: GoodTackling Serious and Organised Crime: Good

Key findings (5)

Sussex Police has a good understanding of the threat posed by threats to vulnerable people.
The force is efficient in preventing and investigating crime.
There are some challenges in the consistency of investigations being undertaken.
Efforts to tackle serious and organised crime are effective and collaborative.
The force works well with local partnerships to enhance community safety.

Recommendations (4)

Improve the quality of investigations to enhance outcomes for victims.
Provide ongoing training for staff on handling of vulnerable victims.
Ensure better resource allocation for tackling serious crime.
Enhance community engagement strategies to increase public confidence.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Police legitimacy 2015 – Sussex 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.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Police effectiveness 2015 (Vulnerability) – Sussex 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 inspection focused on the effectiveness of forces in protecting vulnerable individuals and supporting victims, particularly regarding missing children and domestic abuse victims.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Witness for the prosecution: Identifying victim and witness vulnerability in criminal case files – Sussex 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 highlights the crucial roles of the police and Crown Prosecution Service in ensuring that victims and witnesses are properly supported during the legal process.

Key findings (8)

The police need to improve their identification of victim and witness vulnerability.
Inconsistent practices in case management affect vulnerable victims and witnesses.
Accurate information must be submitted to the CPS for effective case handling.
Victims' abilities to attend court are potentially compromised by poor file management.
There is a lack of standard procedures for assessing vulnerability.
Training for officers is essential to enhance identification skills.
Effective risk assessment processes must be established to support vulnerable individuals.
The report stresses the importance of collaboration between police and CPS.

Recommendations (8)

Implement standardized procedures for identifying vulnerabilities.
Enhance training programs for police officers on victim support.
Regular audits of case files should be conducted to ensure compliance.
Foster improved communication between police and CPS regarding case files.
Create a dedicated task force to address vulnerabilities in case handling.
Establish feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.
Increase public awareness of available support services for victims.
Develop a monitoring framework to assess the effectiveness of implemented changes.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex - Response to the funding challenge

2013-07-18 · thematic report

This report examines how the Sussex Police force is responding to the significant reduction in central funding announced by the Government in October 2010. It identifies the findings from the third year of the HMIC’s Valuing the Police Programme, tracking budget responses.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex – Revisiting police relationships: progress report

2012-12-18 · thematic report

In 2011, we published 'Without Fear or Favour', which examined issues in police relationships with the media. This revisit finds that while forces have made some progress in managing integrity threats, more work is needed.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex, Policing in austerity: One year on

2012-07-02 · value-for-money report

This report summarizes the findings from an inspection carried out to assess how Sussex police were meeting financial challenges due to a 20% funding reduction over four years. The report is based on data provided by the force in February 2012, following an inspection of all police forces in England and Wales conducted in Spring 2011.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex, 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

Sussex – 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

Sussex, Valuing the Police preparedness inspection

2011-07-21 · thematic report

This thematic report evaluates the preparedness of the Sussex Police force regarding value for money. The inspection found areas of both strength and concern in their approaches to resource allocation and operational effectiveness.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex - Joint inspection of police custody suites

2011-06-02 · force-specific report

This report inspects police custody suites in Sussex, focusing on their conditions and operations. The headline conclusion indicates areas of strength as well as aspects that require improvement.

Overall Inspection: adequate

Key findings (5)

Inspection revealed areas of good practice in the management of custody suites.
Staffing levels were found to be generally appropriate for the needs of detainees.
Some facilities were noted to require improvements in hygiene and maintenance.
Policies for protecting the rights of detainees need reinforcement.
Emergency planning protocols were not fully adhered to in some instances.

Recommendations (4)

Enhance staff training on detainee rights and welfare.
Implement regular audits of cleanliness in custody facilities.
Increase accountability measures for emergency protocol adherence.
Strengthen communication between police and health services concerning detainee health needs.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Anti-social behaviour inspection

2010-09-22 · force-specific report

This report inspects the handling of anti-social behaviour by Sussex police. The findings highlight key areas of strength and areas needing improvement in their response to anti-social incidents.

Overall effectiveness: Good

Key findings (8)

The Sussex police have established effective partnerships with local authorities.
Support for victims of anti-social behaviour is generally strong.
Response times to anti-social behaviour incidents have seen improvement.
Community engagement initiatives are well-received by the public.
Training for officers is sufficient but needs periodic updates.
Reporting mechanisms are user-friendly but could be more publicized.
Data collection on incidents needs enhancing for better analysis.
Corrective actions have been effective in addressing complaints.

Recommendations (8)

Enhance data collection methods for better insights.
Increase public awareness of reporting mechanisms.
Provide ongoing training for staff on anti-social behaviour.
Continue to foster partnerships with local councils.
Conduct regular reviews of community engagement strategies.
Improve communication about actions taken on reports received.
Strengthen support services for victims of anti-social behaviour.
Monitor response times to ensure they meet targets.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Ipsos MORI Anti-social behaviour research results

2010-09-22 · thematic report

This publication presents the results of research conducted by Ipsos MORI on anti-social behaviour in Sussex. The findings aim to enhance understanding and inform policy on addressing such issues within the community.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Policing pledge revisit

2010-01-30 · peel report

This report is a follow-up to the Sussex policing pledge inspection, focusing on the implementation and adherence to policing pledges in Sussex. The inspection concluded that significant improvements were made since the last review, demonstrating a positive trend in service quality.

Overall Performance: Good

Key findings (4)

The Sussex force has made commendable strides in community engagement.
Improvements in response times were noted since the last inspection.
There is better resource allocation for community policing.
Feedback mechanisms have been established for public input into policing strategies.

Recommendations (4)

Continue enhancing community engagement strategies.
Regularly assess resource allocation effectiveness.
Implement ongoing training programs for community policing staff.
Develop a framework for capturing more public feedback.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Policing pledge

2009-10-12 · peel report

The report examines the Sussex Policing pledge, which outlines the commitments of the police in Sussex towards community policing. It highlights areas of strength as well as those needing improvement to ensure effective policing is delivered to residents.

Overall Performance: Good

Key findings (3)

The policing pledge enhances community engagement in Sussex.
There is a clear commitment from the police to uphold the principles of public safety.
Resources allocated to community policing are appropriate for the needs of the area.

Recommendations (2)

Increase training for officers on community engagement strategies.
Develop more robust measures for assessing public satisfaction with policing.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Phase 2, neighbourhood policing/citizen focus

2008-08-30 · baseline report

This report focuses on the neighbourhood policing and citizen engagement strategies implemented in Sussex during the second phase of assessment. The overall conclusions highlight areas of both strength and necessary improvement.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Baseline assessment 2006

2006-09-29 · baseline report

The Sussex Baseline Assessment 2006 evaluates various aspects of policing within the Sussex area. The report provides insights into the performance and strengths of the force, emphasizing areas of progress and those requiring further development.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex, North Downs Basic Command Unit inspection

2006-02-28 · force-specific report

This report inspects the Sussex, North Downs Basic Command Unit, focusing on its operational effectiveness and areas for improvement. The findings highlight critical but actionable insights into the unit's performance and service delivery.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Baseline assessment 2005

2005-09-29 · baseline report

This publication details a baseline assessment for the Sussex police force, focusing on various operational aspects. The report is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the force's performance.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex, West Downs Basic Command Unit inspections

2005-08-30 · force-specific report

This report inspects the performance and operations of the Sussex West Downs Basic Command Unit. The inspection evaluates various aspects of policing and provides a comprehensive overview of effectiveness.

Full report on hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Sussex Police National Computer compliance audit

2004-11-30 · national report

This audit examined the compliance of Sussex Police with national standards related to computer systems. The inspection aimed to assess the integrity and management of information and resources within the force.

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.