**Gwent Police Criticised for Failing to Bring Enough Offenders to Justice, Say Inspectors**
Gwent Police has come under scrutiny following a recent inspection report highlighting significant shortcomings in its ability to bring offenders to justice. The force, covering areas in south-east Wales, has been singled out for failing to effectively investigate crimes and supervise ongoing cases, according to a comprehensive review published by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.
The report, released on Friday 27 June 2025, commends some improvements in Gwent Police’s handling of serious offences such as rape, yet denounces the overall proportion of offenders being prosecuted as insufficient. Inspectors cited a persistent lack of effective supervision in many investigations, leaving numerous cases unresolved and victims dissatisfied with the outcomes.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer, in her foreword to the report, acknowledged that certain aspects of Gwent Police’s operations remain satisfactory. However, she emphasised that several critical areas – including crime investigation, protection of vulnerable individuals, and force management – still “require improvement”. These areas all received one step above the lowest grading possible, falling in the “requires improvement” category of the report’s five-tier evaluation system.
One of the central concerns raised relates to officers’ and supervisors’ excessive workloads. According to the inspection, it was not uncommon for sergeants to be overseeing well over 100 cases each, with one notable example involving a sergeant responsible for 336 cases. Junior staff members reported being tasked with crimes for which they had not received adequate training, compounding concerns over investigative quality and officer wellbeing.
Inspectors also shed light on multiple cases, including rape and sexual offences against children, where proper oversight was lacking for weeks. The report recommended that Gwent Police review its allocation processes, ensuring staff and supervisors are equipped and trained for the complexities of the situations they are assigned. Immediate improvements were deemed necessary to ensure timely and thorough investigations, especially when the safety and well-being of vulnerable victims are at stake.
In relation to protective measures for at-risk individuals, the force’s performance remains troubling. The inspection found Gwent Police scored the lowest in England and Wales for the use of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, known as Clare’s Law. During the year ending September 2024, only 22.1% of “Right To Know” applications resulted in disclosures—well below the national average. Arrest rates for domestic abuse incidents, as well as applications for orders protecting victims of stalking or at risk of sexual offending, also lagged significantly behind comparable forces.
Financial challenges compound operational difficulties. While the force reduced its forecast deficit for the 2024-25 financial year due to an improved police settlement, long-term economic sustainability remains in doubt. Projections indicate the force must still find substantial savings in future years, as reserves are expected to decline sharply, raising concerns about the ability to maintain services if savings cannot be made.
Despite these criticisms, inspectors highlighted positive developments, notably in crime recording, where Gwent Police was rated as “outstanding”. Improvements were also seen in response times to emergency calls and in the creation of tangible investigative plans for the majority of cases reviewed. Additionally, the force was praised for cultivating a fair and ethical working environment, with supervisors demonstrating a willingness to challenge discriminatory behaviour.
Chief Constable Mark Hobrough reiterated the force’s commitment to learning from the inspection’s findings and enhancing the quality of its investigations and victim services. He acknowledged the necessity for ongoing reform, both in terms of appropriately resourcing staff and refining processes to protect the most vulnerable within the community.
In summary, while Gwent Police has made some progress, particularly in crime recording and workforce culture, the inspectors’ report makes clear that persistent issues in workload management, supervision, and victim protection remain unresolved. The force faces a crucial period ahead, needing not only to address internal shortcomings but also to sustain service delivery amid evolving financial constraints.
Gwent Police now faces the twin challenge of implementing inspectors’ recommendations and restoring public confidence in its effectiveness at bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding those in need. The coming months will prove critical as the force seeks to meet both the internal demands for reform and the expectations of the communities it serves.