HIMICFRS: Force achieves ‘impressive levels of improvement’ in crime recording 

The force was graded ‘good’ following a re-inspection earlier in 2019 that found it has improved its recording rate from 80.1 to 92.8 per cent. 

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said this was “one of the most impressive levels of improvement” in all its re-inspections.  

In its report published on Tuesday (October 8), HMICFRS said North Yorkshire Police has significantly improved its overall crime recording standards, including for violence and sexual crimes, and improved its recording of crime reports received directly into its public protection department from partner organisations. 

The force has developed and implemented a crime data integrity action plan to address recommendations and areas for improvement and drive systemic cultural change. 

It has also substantially improved the number of crime reports it records within 24 hours. 

The report said the force was determined to get crime recording right, to understand clearly how crime affects its communities and to respond appropriately to this demand. 

“The leadership effort that North Yorkshire Police has put toward improving crime recording has been pivotal to the improvements we found in this inspection,” HMICFRS said. 

“After our 2017 inspection findings, the [deputy chief constable] took responsibility for leading the work to improve the force’s crime recording. 

“The force has re-emphasised its crime recording expectations and explained them to officers and staff. And those who make crime recording decisions now have mandatory performance objectives linked to crime recording standards.” 

However, HMICFRS said the force still has more work to do in a few areas. It recognises that it still does not record some reports of crime and that it must work to make sure it records all: 

• Crimes associated with domestic abuse; 
• Public order crimes; and 

• Offences of making, taking or distributing indecent images of children. 

HM Inspector of Constabulary Phil Gormley said: “Crime recording is not just an administrative exercise. By recording crimes in an accurate and timely manner, police forces are better placed to investigate crimes thoroughly and achieve justice for victims. 

“That is why I am very pleased with the results of this inspection into crime recording arrangements in North Yorkshire Police. We had serious concerns resulting from our last inspection in 2017, so it is gratifying to see just how much the force has improved. 

“The force has successfully implemented almost all of the recommendations resulting from our 2017 inspection. It has streamlined supervision and governance procedures and has made changes to its crime management units, to better ensure initial compliance with the National Crime Recording Standard. 

“These changes have resulted in a drastic improvement in crime recording. While there is still further work to do, these recent improvements will mean a better service for victims of crime in North Yorkshire.” 

HMICFRS published reports into three other forces on the same day. Essex Police was graded ‘outstanding’ after recording 95.8 per cent of all crime reported. 

West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police retained their ‘good’ grades, recording 90.7 and 93.1 per cent of overall crimes respectively.