12% between June 2009 and July 2010, compared to an 8% drop across England and Wales. In this survey, there were drops in all categories of crime except sexual offences and drug crimes, accounted for by increased reporting and more effective targeting of drug offences. Confidence in the police and public perceptions of crime were also better than the national average. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) conducts a periodic police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) inspection of each police service's performance. In February 2023, the force was awarded the following grades in its PEEL inspection: Budget cuts Proposed regional merger In 2006, the Home Office announced plans to reduce the number of police forces in the UK from 42 to 24 in an attempt to save money. The plans were abandoned later that year due to lack of funding for the mergers, however the idea has resurfaced many times. The proposed idea was for Devon and Cornwall Police to merge with Gloucestershire Constabulary, Wiltshire Police, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Dorset Police. The plans were criticised by all the involved forces, stating that it would lead to poor quality service and a reduction in local policing. Austerity The program of austerity from 2011 had an impact on the force: The rural crime grant, worth £1.8M to Devon & Cornwall, about the cost of 70 officers, was abolished. The central government grant was cut by 20%. In comparison to other forces, the council tax precept was low. Rises in the precept were capped by central government. The organisation was forced to cut officers, from 3,500 to 2,810. It also had to cut PCSOs and police ltaff, losing around 350 posts. Many stations were closed and sold, controversially including a brand new station at St Columb Major. The service offered to the public was scaled back: for example in the past victims of car crime or burglary would have seen an officer in person. Since the austerity cuts, the majority of these crimes are 'desktop investigated' by a centralised team. A partial reversal of the cuts was announced in 2019 by the (then) new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who pledged to replace 20,000 of the 21,000 officers cut in England and Wales since 2011. Devon & Cornwall officer numbers are not expected to return to their 2010 levels until 2023. There are no plans nationally to