By Gabriel Princewill-
The story of Cleveland Police, a force serving communities across areas including Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton, and Redcar and Cleveland, is a compelling narrative of a policing organisation brought to the brink of collapse and its subsequent fight for redemption. In 2019, the force became the first in the country to be rated ‘inadequate’ in all areas of policing by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), a damning assessment that led to its placement in an enhanced monitoring process known as “special measures” (formally the “Engage” phase). The journey from being described as “rudderless and clueless” to a force making significant progress and being removed from special measures in September 2023 provides a detailed case study in the challenges of modern policing, leadership crises, and the mechanics of mandated improvement.
It is therefore somewhat unsurprising that Cleveland police turned a blind eye to the persist sexual abuse by a monster against young boys at a detention centre. It would appear there has long been a culture of negligence and oversight at the force which following special measures has thankfully improved its efficiency in many ways .
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
The decision by HMICFRS to place Cleveland Police in special measures in April 2019 was the culmination of years of controversy and systemic failures. The 2018/19 PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy) inspection report painted a stark picture of an organisation failing in its most fundamental duties. The force was graded as inadequate across all three key pillars: effectiveness at reducing crime and keeping people safe, efficiency and sustainability, and legitimacy in how it treated the public and its workforce.
The report’s findings were severe and wide-ranging. Inspectors found that the force was “putting the public at risk” and “operating without a clear plan or direction”. One of the most alarming revelations was the failure to protect vulnerable people. There were numerous examples where the force failed to identify vulnerable victims, provided a poor or significantly delayed response, and did not ensure adequate safeguarding. This included a concerning lack of action to address recommendations from a previous child protection inspection in 2017, leaving some children at risk of harm.
Investigations were found to be of poor quality, with low crime-solving rates, relevant lines of inquiry not always being completed, and victims not updated sufficiently. The force lacked enough people with the right skills in the right places to manage the demand for investigations.
The internal culture and leadership were also in crisis. Staff reported feeling that the organisation was “directionless, rudderless and clueless”. The inspectorate was “very concerned at the lack of ethical behaviour in the force,” noting that many senior leaders were not acting as positive role models. This lack of effective leadership was seen as having a “profoundly negative effect on the organisation”. The force also had a history of scandals, including the misuse of anti-terror legislation to spy on journalists and an inspector who targeted junior colleagues for sex, which further eroded public and internal confidence.
Being placed in the “Engage” phase by HMICFRS means a police force is subject to an enhanced level of monitoring, involving regular, in-depth inspections and a mandated improvement plan. The aim is to ensure the force can make significant improvements to address the critical concerns raised by the inspectorate. The then Police and Crime Commissioner promised a “deep dive” into the force’s failings, acknowledging the scale of the challenge.
The improvement journey began with a significant restructuring of the force and a renewed focus on core policing principles. The appointment of Chief Constable Mark Webster in April 2022 marked a turning point, as he became the force’s seventh top officer in less than a decade. His leadership was widely credited with bringing a “renewed focus” and “clear strategic direction”.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
After more than four years of intensive monitoring and hard work, Cleveland Police was officially removed from special measures on September 20, 2023. HMICFRS announced that the force had made “significant improvements in its approach to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour” and had “addressed the concerns raised” in the original damning report.
Chief Constable Mark Webster hailed the news as a “momentous day,” stating that “Cleveland isn’t the same [as] it was in 2019”. The force highlighted its progress, including a significant drop in total recorded crime and an improved arrest rate. The 2023 PEEL report found the force was ‘good’ in one area, ‘adequate’ in four, ‘requires improvement’ in three, and ‘inadequate’ in two, a marked improvement from being inadequate across all areas
.
While the removal from special measures was a major milestone, inspectors noted in a subsequent report in April 2025 that areas for improvement remained. The force was found to still need work on the thoroughness of its investigations and consistently protecting vulnerable people. The number of solved crimes remained low, and relevant lines of inquiry were not always completed.
However, the overall trajectory has been positive. Recent reports praise the force’s clear strategic direction, improved neighbourhood policing teams, and a more efficient and effective use of resources.
Cleveland Police is therefore currently a force that has demonstrated both significant failures, particularly in officer misconduct and safeguarding, and laudable acts of brilliance, primarily in overall crime reduction and officer bravery. Despite its removal from special measures , recent reports and incidents indicate persistent issues
The April 2025 HMICFRS report highlighted serious, ongoing concerns about the force’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Issues included:
Failures to identify child exploitation online and a poor response to missing young people, including instances where the force’s approach potentially put vulnerable children at further risk.
Inadequate investigations, with one example noting a sextortion report was closed with no examination of the victim’s phone for evidence.
Officer Misconduct
The force continues to face a number of serious internal misconduct issues. In November 2025, a detective constable was dismissed following a conviction for a domestic-related assault.
In February 2025, an off-duty student officer was dismissed after punching a woman several times, an action found to be gross misconduct.
A former PC was dismissed in November 2024 for failing to safeguard a vulnerable woman and subsequently making false entries on police systems to cover his mistakes.
And the HMICFRS reports in April 2025 noted that the force still needs to improve the thoroughness of its investigations, a persistent area of concern.
Amidst the challenges, Cleveland Police has shown significant signs of progress and professionalism
Overall Crime Reduction: The Police and Crime Commissioner’s 2024-25 annual report highlighted a significant achievement: an 8% fall in Cleveland’s overall crime rate for 2024, which equated to over 6,000 fewer victims.
A 2025 HMICFRS report acknowledged “significant improvements in its approach to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour” and an overall “good” rating in four out of eight inspected categories. This progress makes the force one of the most improved in the country.
Officer Bravery: Three officers were honoured with regional Police Bravery Awards in July 2024 for tackling a man wielding a knife, an incident that left them with stab and slash wounds. The Chief Constable praised them for representing “the very best of Cleveland Police”.
The force has shown strong performance in call handling, with nearly 9 out of 10 emergency (999) calls answered within 10 seconds. There has also been a reduction in non-emergency calls and improved answer times. The joint “Cleveland Divert” initiative, aimed at cutting re-offending rates, won a prestigious national award. The positive outcome rate for participants of this scheme was just 4%, compared to a regional average re-offending rate of over 32%.
The force’s experience is a lesson in the necessity of robust oversight and the constant need for policing organisations to maintain high standards of effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar