Sussex Police achieves highest grade in new Policing Performance System

Friday, 17 July 2026 12:00

By V2 Radio

Following the launch of a new national Policing Performance System, Sussex Police has been assigned to the highest grading available.

Performance levels have been decided by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) with Sussex Police achieving Level One, based upon a wide range of data and evidence, including HMICFRS inspection findings, analysis of performance data and wider contextual information from partner agencies.

This announcement comes as every police force in England and Wales has been assigned a performance level by the policing inspectorate for the first time, as part of a drive to support improvements across policing and increase public confidence and accountability.

These range from Level One – the default level – to Level Four (Special Measures) for the most significant performance issues and forces will now be able to access support and intervention earlier, helping to make communities safer.

Announced in the Police Reform White Paper, the new system will also see forces made accountable to the Home Secretary for performance. Ministers and the Inspectorate will also have new powers to intervene directly in failing forces.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: "This result places Sussex Police in the top tier of forces nationally and follows continuous improvement the force has made in a number of areas.

"I am pleased the hard work and commitment our teams have shown in making improvements has been reflected in the level to which we have been assigned, and we will continue in our work to protect communities, catch criminals and deliver an outstanding service to all."

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