West Yorkshire Police outstanding in crime recording but needs to improve investigations
West Yorkshire Police is ‘outstanding’ in the way it records crime data, but needs to improve how it investigates crime and supports the workplace, the police inspectorate has said.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said chief officers were constantly monitoring and scrutinising standards of crime recording.
Inspectors said West Yorkshire Police was also effective in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour and is continuing to invest in how it tackles neighbourhood policing.
But the inspectorate said the force needed to improve the way it investigates crime, with only low numbers of crime being solved following investigation. West Yorkshire Police should also make sure it has the right resources and processes in place to effectively manage demand across the force, it added.
Overall, the inspectorate found the force was outstanding in one area, good in one area, adequate in five areas and requires improvement in two areas.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: “I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of West Yorkshire Police in keeping people safe, reducing crime and providing victims with an effective service. But there are areas in which it needs to improve.
“The force needs to make sure it has effective systems that are used consistently to monitor workloads and provide support to officers. I recognise the efforts of individual officers and staff in West Yorkshire Police, who are working hard to manage these high workloads and to help victims.
“I hope that changes to the way the force operates will result in improvements that help West Yorkshire Police to provide a better service to the public. I will be monitoring its progress closely.”