The Isle of Man Constabulary (IOMC) has recorded a 10% reduction in crime for 2024/25, marking an 18% overall decline since Chief Constable Russ Foster took office.
It has also recorded a rise in the detection rate to 56%, up from 54% the previous year, a figure described as “exceptional” compared to other UK jurisdictions.
However, the force faces mounting pressures, including staffing shortages and escalating demands from complex cases, particularly in domestic abuse and sexual offences.
Success and Challenges
In his annual report, Chief Constable Foster highlighted achievements such as the seizure of £300 million in criminal assets by the Proactive International Money Laundering Investigation Team (PIMLIT) and the disruption of 239 organised crime group operations.
Drug seizures included 4.5kg of cocaine (£464,000 street value) and 14.5kg of cannabis (£250,000).
However, he noted that the Protecting Vulnerable Persons Investigation Team (PVPIT) is “overstretched” due to a 25% rise in rape reports and a 24% increase in other sexual offences.
Mr Foster noted, “The increased demand has stretched resources, prompting a request for consideration of a Government-funded uplift in staffing.”
Domestic abuse cases saw a 16% rise in incidents, though detection rates fell to 37%, with nearly half of victims unwilling to support prosecutions.
Staffing
Mr Foster said the Constabulary remains understaffed, with 30 vacancies and an anticipated loss of 30 more officers by 2028.
A recruitment drive in January 2025 brought in 16 new officers, but retention issues linger due to pension disparities and cost-of-living pressures.
Mr Foster warned, “A strategic intervention is required to ensure that in three years’ time we are not in the same position that I inherited from my predecessor with a ‘burning platform’ in terms of officer vacancies.”
Roads
Road fatalities remained steady at five, with 51 serious injuries with the Mountain Road continuing as a hotspot.
Drug-driving offences rose to 99, with 10 cases involving medicinal cannabis prescriptions—a loophole Mr Foster urged lawmakers to address.
Mr Foster emphasised the need for the Regulation of Surveillance Bill to enable facial recognition technology at ports, calling it vital to combat “serious criminality and threats in real time.”
Safeguarding
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) handled 2,356 referrals, though officer shortages hampered its efficiency. Foster praised the Right Care, Right Person initiative, which reduced police involvement in mental health crises, with 67 detainees under the Mental Health Act.
Support
The Chief Constable concluded by reaffirming his commitment to neighbourhood policing but stressed the need for government support:
He said: “The productivity of the IOMC supported by its partners has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months and I am extremely proud to present the attached report.
“I anticipate that if these risks are not mitigated, then the delivery of the objectives outlined in the DHA Policing Plan and more importantly the quality of service to the public of the Isle of Man may be compromised.”
1 Comment