LANCASHIRE Police has significantly improved its approach to child protection, a government watchdog has found.

The report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) comes just a year after the force was slammed for failing to protect and safeguard vulnerable children.

That report released in March 2018 revealed that procedural failures of front line officers meant children were ‘needlessly exposed to the risk of harm’ and perpetrators were potentially going unpunished.

While examining 79 cases involving at-risk children, inspectors found that officers had failed to investigate an allegation that a 10-year-old girl had been assaulted by her step father; and a 17-year-old boy who attempted to take his own life while in police custody for 44 hours.

At the time Deputy Chief Constable Sunita Gamblin apologised for letting down the most vulnerable but said urgent safeguarding measures had already been put in place.

That has now been shown in the results of the latest report, with HMICFRS inspectors saying the force had successfully implemented a range of measures to strengthen its handling of child protection issues.

DCC Gamblin said: “I’m really pleased with the findings of the report which recognises the huge amount of hard work our officers and staff have done to improve what we do to protect children - one of the most important things we do as a police force.

“The commitment of everyone from chief officers and senior leaders to frontline staff has led to significant culture change with officers and staff now much more child-focused and a recognition that safeguarding is the responsibility of us all.

“We are not complacent and we recognise that there are areas where we can progress further. We will continue to work hard in this vital area until we can deliver an outstanding service in keeping children and young people safe in Lancashire.”

Specific improvements include: the introduction of the “Think Child” campaign; enhanced training for all frontline officers and staff; the introduction of child protection coaches; technological initiatives, including a business intelligence performance dashboard and a child protection app; and the development of a qualitative audit process.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Phil Gormley said:

“Lancashire Constabulary has made good progress in implementing our previous recommendations and is now performing to a high level when it comes to protecting children from harm.

“I am particularly impressed with the force’s approach to using new technologies, as well as its commitment to working directly with social workers and other relevant third parties. What is most noticeable, however, is the widespread cultural change throughout the entire organisation, with officers and staff now well aware of their responsibilities when responding to and investigating child protection matters.

“It is encouraging that, despite already having made progress, the force is striving to make further improvements. Through its own audit trails and analysis, it has identified several areas for improvement – we have incorporated these into our own recommendations. Given the force’s prior record, I expect that these will be addressed and implemented in the coming months.”

Police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: "Protecting victims and vulnerable people is a key priority in my police and crime plan and I welcome the significant steps taken by the constabulary to ensure children are safeguarded and the 'voice of the child' is being heard.

"Officers and staff are committed to keeping people safe and to making a difference every day to children's lives and I'm delighted this is recognised by the report, alongside our commitment to continuous improvement.

"The constabulary is now found to be performing to a high level when it comes to protecting children from harm, delivering the high quality service that children across the county need and deserve, which is testament to all the work being undertaken."

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "The sweeping improvements being made by Lancashire Constabulary in their work on child protection will have a real impact on the safety and wellbeing of children across the county, and we welcome recognition from HMIC for the positive institutional changes across the force.

"It is everyone's responsibility to tackle child abuse, and having a police force wholly engaged in efforts to protect children is vital to ensuring that victims and their families can pursue justice with appropriate support and assistance."