WEST Yorkshire Police has a disproportionately low number of black and ethnic minority officers, compared with the population it represents.

New Home Office figures show that in March this year, the equivalent of 286 full time BME officers were employed by the force – 218 men and 68 women. There were six senior officers.

They make up 5.7% of the total number of police officers.

BME people make up 18.2% of West Yorkshire’s total population, which is significantly more than the proportion of BME officers.

The Lammy Review, an investigation by MP David Lammy into the treatment of BME people in the criminal justice system, found that black and ethnic minority people often do not like engaging with the police as they do not feel represented.

The review says that increasing the visibility of BME people within policing is fundamental to ensuring justice

Ian Saunders, chairman of the Police Federation’s equality sub-committee said: “It is vital that the police service reflects the communities we serve to ensure we are able to police as effectively as possible.”

The Home Office data shows that out of West Yorkshire Police’s full time BME officers, 75 are mixed race. There are 27 black officers and 170 are Asian. The rest are from other ethnic minorities.

West Yorkshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable, Angela Williams, said: “We are working extremely hard to ensure that we are representative of the communities we serve.

“Although we have seen an increase in the proportion of Police Officers from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethic (BAME) applicants over recent years, we know that there is still more that can be done.

“Similarly, we realise that this is an issue that extends to all underrepresented groups and we are keen to meet the diverse and emerging needs of the people who live and work in the county.

“During the recruitment drives of the past few years, much has been done to address this and we are beginning to see the benefits of this approach.

“For instance, we have offered BAME applicants mentoring support and held local recruitment seminars.

“We have also forged stronger partnership links with local Universities, attending graduate recruitment events and Placement Fairs. Likewise, we deliver the ‘Natural Born Leaders’ Programme to college students who later enter BAME communities as future role models and leaders. Positive Action Ambassadors and Community Engagement Officers are also now actively working to improve BAME representation.

“Finally targeted campaigns for roles such as Detectives or Specials are helping to make a difference and shaping our future workforce.”