Crime investigations deteriorate

The force hopes to learn from the report

Investigations into petty crimes in Cornwall and Devon deteriorated between 2004 and 2005, according to new government reports.

Police Performance Assessments said "volume crime" inquiries, such as anti-social behaviour, were hampered because of major investigations.

Cases such as the Peter Solheim murder and the disappearance of Julie Crocker took up large amounts of resources.

The force said its performance had improved since the period studied.

'Tested resilience'

The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said the force had "contended with a series of major investigations which it has successfully managed and brought, in the main, to successful conclusions".

Cases which took up resources during the study period, included the Peter Solheim murder in Falmouth and the disappearance of Julie Crocker in Plymouth.

But the HMIC added: "However, these investigations have tested resilience. HMIC assessed that the force's performance in relation to volume crime investigation deteriorated in 2004/05."

Volume crimes include low-level offences such as anti-social behaviour, minor theft and car crime.

Overall, Devon and Cornwall Police was given a ranking of "fair" for investigating crime.

In the reducing crime category the force was described as "good", a rating also given in the promoting safety, providing assistance and local policing categories.

Safe places

Chief Constable Maria Wallis said: "We have more 'goods' than 'fairs', but we can always learn.

"We knew that because of a major number of incidents that resources were going to these incidents, understandably."

Ms Wallis added that the force had improved dramatically since the period the assessment was studying.

She said: "Since then crime is down by over 7% and we're in the top 10 for detection. So there is some good news there."

The Police Performance Assessments said that Devon and Cornwall were essentially safe places to live, work and visit.