An inspection of the police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024- Tranche 2
Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Home Secretary
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
27th June 2025
An inspection of the police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024- Tranche 2
I am writing to you in response to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection into Tranche 2 of the police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024 report.
This inspection report makes 3 recommendations for NPCC and Chief Constables.
The disruption that unfolded last summer caused significant disruption, fear and damage within our communities. The findings from this report highlight the need for urgent improvements in preparedness, command oversight, inter-agency coordination and engagement with our communities during times of crisis.
As the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, I am committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities through both strengthening operational readiness and working collaboratively with community leaders and stakeholders to continue to build trust and confidence in West Mercia Police.
Thankfully, as highlighted in our response to Tranche 1 findings, West Mercia were not directly impacted by disruption in our force area although officers were deployed to support other areas.
Intelligence and risk assessment
The report highlights that in several areas nationally initial assessments underestimated the scale and nature of the threat. I am reassured that steps are being taken to improve how emerging threats are identified, shared and acted upon across operational teams.
Work is underway to ensure that strategic assessments can be updated quickly in response to emerging risks and that decision making structures allow for rapid escalation when required. It is also important that local assessments are clearly aligned with regional and national intelligence to support timely mobilisation when needed.
Responding to online content and misinformation
The digital environment played a significant role in shaping the nature and pace of disorder. I welcome the review’s acknowledgement of the challenges the police service faces in an era when the rapid spread of information online can have an almost instant impact on the ground.
During summer 2024, I was reassured that where intelligence was received through online platforms, swift operational plans were put in place to prevent issues arising. I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that West Mercia Police ensure digital threats are factored into operational planning and threat assessments.
Investigative readiness and post event response
As PCC, I take a direct interest in how the force maintains the capability to investigative public disorder incidents, secure evidence and pursue accountability through the justice system.
I have sought assurances that the force has clear arrangements in place for identifying investigative leads, securing digital and physical evidence and managing victim and community engagement in the aftermath of such incidents.
It is vita that public confidence is maintained not only through the immediate policing response, but through a clear and consistent approach. I will continue to monitor how effectively these investigations are resourced, managed and concluded.
Summary
The events of summer 2024 presented significant operational challenges nationally and whilst policing demonstrated professionalism and commitment under difficult circumstances, this report rightly draws attention to areas where preparedness and coordination must improve.
Locally, I am committed to ensuring that the findings are acted upon. The force must be capable of identifying and responding swiftly to dynamic threats. I will continue to support and challenge the Chief Constable to ensure that the force remains robust, adaptable and accountable in the face of future disorder.
John Campion
Police and Crime Commissioner
West Mercia