Durham Constabulary has maintained its position as the top performing police force in the country for a third year in a row. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s (HMIC) assessed each of the 43 forces in England and Wales to see how effective they were at keeping people safe and reducing crime. It is understood Durham is the only one to receive an overall grade of ‘outstanding’. In the individual areas assessed, the force was deemed ‘outstanding’ at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour and keeping people safe.

It also was graded ‘outstanding’ at tackling serious and organised crime. Meanwhile, the force was deemed to be ‘good’ at investigating crime and reducing re-offending and ‘good’ at protecting the vulnerable. The report says: “Overall the effectiveness of Durham Constabulary is judged to be outstanding. In arriving at this view HMIC has taken account of how the constabulary treats, identifies and supports vulnerable victims, investigates crime – especially serious and organised crime – and engages with its communities.