West Mercia Police Federation backs officers amid safeguarding backlog concerns

1 October 2025

West Mercia Police Federation has voiced its support for officers following the publication of a critical HMICFRS report highlighting ongoing issues with safeguarding referrals.

The inspectorate issued an accelerated cause of concern, warning that the force’s approach to managing adult and child safeguarding referrals has not improved. Inspectors found that backlogs, delays in risk assessments, and gaps in training continue to put vulnerable people at risk.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police Federation said: "I'd like to stress that this is by no means a reflection on our hardworking officers.

“Our members are working tirelessly under increasing demand, using outdated IT systems and facing unnecessary bureaucracy, yet they continue to prioritise urgent cases and protect the public wherever they can."

During inspections in July and December 2024, the inspectorate found significant backlogs in safeguarding referrals, with December figures showing 1,023 delayed cases, including high-risk referrals.

The latest visit in September 2025 revealed that the backlog had more than doubled to 2,828 cases. HMICFRS urged the force to implement clear governance, risk management, and training measures.

Urgent cases

Deputy Chief Constable Damian Barratt acknowledged the concerns, stressing that urgent cases have always been prioritised.

He said the Force is consolidating four safeguarding teams into one central vulnerability hub to ensure referrals are quicker and more consistent. Additional staff and technology are being deployed to reduce delays and tackle the backlog.

The Federation emphasised that officers are committed to protecting the public, but ongoing resource pressures and legacy systems make their work more challenging.

"Our members remain dedicated to keeping communities safe," the spokesperson said. "The Federation will continue to support them as the Force works to address these issues.

“However, the fact remains that our members need the correct tools, training and capacity to carry out this vital work effectively and efficiently."