POLICE in Hampshire have been failing to meet their targets for priority incidents involving children, a new report has revealed.

A review into the Constabulary’s protection of children found only 54 per cent of priority incidents were attended within an hour in the past year.

The force's target is 75 per cent.

Findings by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services also mention “numerous cases” where evident risk wasn’t being managed “sufficiently”.

One example given was that of a 16-year-old boy who reported that his mother, who is bipolar, attacked him.

At the time of the review, two days had passed since the incident had been reported.

The boy was yet to be seen and a public protection notice hadn’t been completed.

Despite this, the review said the force had put in several processes to mitigate risk when attendance is delayed.

It states: “The constabulary has committed a great deal of resources, time and energy to improving outcomes for children and making improvements in line with our recommendations.

“There is a clear commitment from senior officers to child protection and this was evident throughout our inspection.”

The post-inspection review, conducted in June, comes one year after recommendations were made to the Constabulary including that the force should work with safeguarding partners to review its information-sharing practices.

However, public protection notices relating to children at risk weren't always prioritised and reviewed within 24 hours.

For example, during routine monitoring, a sex offender was found to be in contact with his grandchildren.

The report states: "There was a delay of five days in submitting the PPN. But, when it was submitted, we found that a further five days later it hadn’t been reviewed in the MASH (multi agency safeguarding hub) and the information hadn’t been shared with partner organisations.

"This had left these children potentially at risk."

Further delays were identified in missing child reports with the review stating that in the case it observed, there were often delays in officers attending to take a report or conduct a risk assessment.

Overall though, it was found that there is some “good work and innovation” when children regularly go missing including contacting their school.

It was also acknowledged that parts of the Constabulary are working at “capacity” and are dealing with “backlogs”, causing delays.

The report concluded: “Hampshire Constabulary has made good progress in response to our 2021 recommendations.

“But the force recognises that it still needs to improve in some areas to provide consistently better outcomes for children.

“We are, however, confident that the force understands where it needs to improve.

“We are also satisfied that senior leaders have plans to make these improvements and to monitor progress.”

Hampshire police and Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner have been contacted for comment.