HMICFRS Child Protection Support - Request for Urgent Meeting

Please see my letter to the Assistant Chief Constable, copied to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Temporary Chief Constable, and Gloucestershire MPs, in response to today’s HMICFRS report following a National Child Protection Inspection in Gloucestershire.

The inspection has revealed serious failings in how Gloucestershire Constabulary has protected vulnerable children. I am seriously concerned by the force’s inability to safeguard those most at risk, with the report highlighting unacceptable delays in investigations and inadequate responses to abuse and exploitation.

I understand that these findings, particularly the repeated failures to protect vulnerable children, will cause concern across the Forest of Dean and the wider Gloucestershire area. Please be assured that I am taking this issue very seriously. In the letter, I requested a meeting with the Temporary Chief Constable and senior officers at Gloucestershire Constabulary to urgently address these concerns. I am now in the process of arranging that meeting.

I will continue to follow this closely and remain committed to ensuring that significant improvements are made and enforced without delay. If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in the report, please do not hesitate to contact me at matt.bishop.mp@parliament.uk.