Gwent Police considers zero-hours detectives after surge in murders

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 10:02 · Archive

Gwent Police had 11 murder investigations in less than a year, nearly six times its normal annual rate.

Gwent Police has experienced an unprecedented surge in murder investigations, launching 11 probes in less than a year compared with its normal rate of two or three annually. The spike has created severe resource pressures on the 1,535-officer force.

Chief constable Mark Hobrough told Monmouthshire County Council's public services scrutiny committee that the force has incurred record and unplanned overtime costs to cope with demand. The investigations have sometimes required neighbourhood officers to be pulled away from community policing duties to support major cases. Other Welsh chief constables have made contact with Mr Hobrough about the unusual situation.

To manage potential similar demand in the coming year, Mr Hobrough said the force is exploring cheaper options. An assistant chief constable is examining zero-hours style contracts for detectives to conduct interviews and specialist investigations, potentially outside Gwent Police's usual area. 'We're looking at alternatives,' Mr Hobrough said, 'but that has to be of the same quality. We haven't got a finished product but do not want to risk burnout and looking at the same individuals.' The force has not yet finalised its plans.

How it is being reported

• Welsh police force could hire detectives on zero-hours style contracts after huge increase in murder investigationsChief constable Mark Hobrough said the force would normally see between two or three murders a year but in less than a year has launched 11 murder probesWalesOnline · 13 Oct, 09:25
• Record number of murder probes could see Gwent Police hire 'zero hours' detectives11 murder investigations in 10 months has led to unprecedented demand on Gwent Police.South Wales Argus · 12 Oct, 15:09

In this story: Gwent Police · Mark Hobrough · Monmouthshire · Wales

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