Durham Constabulary comes out on top in national performance assessment
Durham Constabulary has received the highest grade possible in a new system introduced by the Government to monitor police performance.
The force has been assigned ‘Level One’ status in the inaugural Police Performance System assessments which is the benchmark standard expected of all forces.
It means no further action or intervention is required.
Additionally, forces in Level One are encouraged to share their experiences of good practice with other forces nationally.
Under the system, each force is assigned to a level between one and four escalating according to severity and the extent of performance concerns, with Level Four representing Special Measures.
Responding to the announcement, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) assessment of Durham Constabulary is a resounding endorsement of a force that is already operating at the highest levels of effectiveness and efficiency, while continuing to drive improvement and innovation.
“This impressive achievement reflects the Chief Constable’s exceptional leadership, the skill and commitment of the entire workforce, and the investment decisions that have strengthened Durham’s capabilities and performance. Together, these factors have helped establish Durham as one of the leading police forces in England and Wales, while increasing public trust and confidence in policing.
“It is even more impressive when you factor in our financial challenges and the fact that we are still over 100 officers short of where we were in 2010.
“The Police Performance System assesses a wide range of policing functions, all of which have been judged to be of the highest standard in Durham, contributing to this exceptional overall grading. It is a significant accolade that the force has also been asked to share its approach and expertise with colleagues across the country, helping to raise standards and promote consistency in policing nationally.
“While this assessment is hugely encouraging, we will not become complacent. We remain committed to ensuring Durham continues to lead the way in innovation, performance and service to the public, building on this success in the years ahead.”
The new system was announced in January 2026 and is designed to identify and support improvement in under-performing forces.
It is overseen by the policing performance monitoring group (PPMG). This is chaired by Interim His Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) Michelle Skeer and senior representatives from the Home Office, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), College of Policing, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
The purpose of the PPMG is to support performance improvements, identify and interrogate issues, identify positive practice and hold forces to account.
