Intelligence and Witness Protection

In January 2010 HMIC assessed whether Nottinghamshire Police and Lincolnshire Police offer appropriate levels of protection to the public; specifically in respect of intelligence sharing and witness protection. This was of significant public interest during the inquests into the deaths of John Stirland and Joan Stirland, and subsequent to the delivery of the verdict.

Key findings of the inspection include:

• Nottingham’s recent intensive management training in threats to life and the protection of vulnerable people
• Nottingham’s introduction of a custom built IT system to support the management of threats to life
• Additional management added to Nottingham’s dedicated Witness Protection Unit, improving the monitoring of the unit’s activity
• Evidence of Lincolnshire’s steps to increase analytical systems that help to gage threats to witnesses of crime and other vulnerable people
• Lincolnshire’s targeted reviews and the learning of lessons from significant intelligence and witness protection incidents
• Both Nottinghamshire Police and Lincolnshire Police comply with the current ACPO guidance on witness protection.

HMIC found that Nottinghamshire Police had taken necessary steps to manage risks to the public, but that further improvements can be made.

HMIC found that Lincolnshire Police had made real changes and improvements.

View report – Lincolnshire
View report – Nottinghamshire