Force urged to enhance child abuse investigations

Staffordshire Police has been advised to enhance the way it handles investigations and responses to reports involving children at risk of abuse, according to a recent inspection.

The evaluation, carried out by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in May 2025, found that while the force excels at collaborating with other agencies and sharing information, it falls short in addressing online child sexual exploitation and responding out-of-hours to sudden child deaths.

The inspection assessed the forces child safeguarding efforts across five key areas. Staffordshire Police received positive marks for working with safeguarding partners and adequate ratings for leadership of child protection arrangements as well as risk assessment and referrals. However, the force was rated as needing improvement in responding to children at risk and investigating cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Despite the creation of 100 new posts in its public protection unit in 2023, including 41 focused on child protection, HMICFRS noted that progress in certain areas has been slow. This included the identification and protection of children affected by domestic abuse.

The inspection also recommended better recording of demographic information such as ethnicity, and more accurate tracking of children who go missing, to improve risk assessment and safeguarding.

Staffordshire Police emphasized that protecting children remains a top priority and acknowledged the areas identified for improvement. The force highlighted its strengths, such as timely information sharing with schools, specialized training for responding to sudden child deaths, and proactive work with hotels to detect and report exploitation.

HMICFRS inspector Michelle Skeer stated, "I was reassured that the force responded promptly and comprehensively to our feedback during this inspection," adding that progress will continue to be monitored.

Staffordshire Police has committed to submitting a detailed action plan to HMICFRS within eight weeks, outlining how it will address the identified shortcomings.

Author's Commentary: Strengths and Gaps in Staffordshire Police Child Protection

The recent HMICFRS inspection highlights a mixed picture for Staffordshire Police in child safeguarding. While the force demonstrates strong collaboration with partner agencies and timely information sharing, significant gaps remain in responding to children at risk and investigating abuse cases.

Despite the addition of 100 new posts in the public protection unit, progress in areas such as identifying children affected by domestic abuse and addressing online sexual exploitation has been slower than expected. The inspection also pointed out the need for improved recording of demographic data and tracking of missing children to strengthen risk assessment.

Staffordshire Police has acknowledged these shortcomings and emphasized that child protection remains a top priority. The force plans to submit a detailed action plan to HMICFRS within eight weeks, aiming to address the identified issues and enhance overall safeguarding effectiveness.

Sources:

• Child abuse investigations must improve, force told