Closing the (protective services) gap: why size does matter when determining optimal Level 2 service delivery

The September 2005 review of policing structure in England and Wales by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is considered in terms of its impact on forces' ability to detect volume crime (crime types that occur in relatively large numbers). We demonstrate that there is no relationship between force size and detection rates, however there is a difference with respect to the means of detecting volume crime. Smaller forces tend to record a greater proportion of their volume crime detections through forensic means. We explore one possibility of this observation – greater forensic deployment due to lower demand or better management – and find some evidence to support better management of forensic resources in smaller forces.