Devon and Cornwall Police have come under scrutiny following a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that criticised the force’s investigative standards. The report, published last month and followed by a further assessment this week, highlights ongoing concerns over the force’s handling of complex investigations and its failure to allocate cases to suitably skilled officers.
Among 43 police forces in England and Wales assessed on investigative performance, Devon and Cornwall Police was one of 13 forces that did not meet the highest Level One standard, instead receiving a Level Two grade. Only Lincolnshire Police was rated worse, at Level Three. The HMICFRS report emphasised that Devon and Cornwall’s investigative shortcomings have resulted in fewer victims being brought to justice, partly due to unskilled officers leading cases and inadequate support for those managing complex crimes.
The force has faced particular pressure regarding its investigation into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and current Reform UK spokesman. Initial phases of the inquiry included the arrest of a suspect later deemed incorrect, and early dismissals of a political motivation behind her death. At a recent press briefing, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated there was currently no evidence to suggest the killing was connected to terrorism, though detectives remained open-minded about potential motives.
In contrast, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has publicly challenged the police’s interpretation of the case. Speaking on TalkTV, Farage described the incident as a premeditated murder rather than a burglary gone wrong, arguing that the circumstances did not align with typical criminal behaviour, citing the suspect’s choice to park on the victim’s driveway as inconsistent with a burglary scenario.
The investigation into Widdecombe’s death has since been handed over to counter-terrorism officers after new intelligence emerged, indicating the murder may have been a targeted attack. This development has added further complexity to an already high-profile inquiry, underscoring the challenges Devon and Cornwall Police face in managing serious and sensitive cases.
The latest inspection findings reinforce calls for improvements within the force, especially regarding the training and deployment of officers in investigative roles. Devon and Cornwall Police continues to face scrutiny as it works to address these criticisms and restore public confidence in its investigative capabilities.