Watchdog praises force's stability and victim care

A police force has been praised for keeping people safe and its care for victims but concerns over the consistency of its investigations were raised.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) rated Cumbria Police as "good" in four areas: leadership, a diverse and inclusive workplace, responding to the public and safeguarding children and adults.

The report found four areas to be "adequate", with the force being told to improve using its powers proportionately andmanaging fraud.

Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Allen described the results as "excellent", with it being one of two forces that did not receive a negative grading.

There are five possible grades - outstanding, good, adequate, requires improvement and inadequate.

His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said the force remained in a stable position and was "optimistic it would continue to make improvements".

Freeman said the force's strengths included safeguarding vulnerable people, supporting its workforce and giving victims an effective service.

The report praised the force's "clear leadership" and "positive and inclusive" workplace culture.

Freeman said with the recent appointment of Chief Constable Darren Martland in February, the force had maintained a "clear sense of direction".

Freeman said investigations were "generally managed well in the early stages", but as they progressed, "supervision and investigative activity was not always maintained to the same standard".

The constabulary was found to use police powers appropriately and lawfully, but it was told to improve its understanding of disproportionality.

The report found in the year ending 31 March 2025, black people were 8.5 times more likely than white people to be subject to use of force.

It added there were gaps in quality and accuracy of the data, with 24% of use of force records not including self-defined ethnicity.

The PCC said Martland "should be proud" of his team and the lack of "requires improvement" ratings reflected "hard work and dedication".

However Allen said the results "did not mean the constabulary can rest on its laurels" and was told by Martland work was being done to address its "adequate" areas.

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