Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has taken over regional oversight of an East Midlands policing unit graded ‘inadequate’ by a watchdog. The East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) was formed in 2001 to target serious and violent offences across the region.
It features a collaboration of specially-trained staff from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire police forces. However, an inspection last year by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found the unit is not operating as it was set up to do.
The watchdog found the unit is “inadequate at tackling serious and organised offences” due to “distinct differences” in how the five forces tackle crime. Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry (Con) told a Police and Crime Panel meeting she has since become regional lead commissioner for the unit and has been examining the inspection report.
