Police force 'requires improvement' at investigating crime

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carried out an inspection of the force and its report has been published today. 

Inspectors found West Yorkshire Police was outstanding in one area, good in one area, adequate in five areas and requires improvement in two areas.

Chief Constable John Robins said he welcomed the findings and added that the force would "improve our service where we need to".

According to HMICFRS, West Yorkshire Police requires improvement when it comes to investigating crime.

In the report, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: "Only low numbers of crimes are solved following investigation. 

"The force needs to work hard to understand the reasons for this and to make improvements to achieve better outcomes for victims.

"It also needs to make sure it remains victim focused throughout investigations and regularly updates victims on the progress of investigations."

HMICFRS added that the force requires improvement at building, supporting and protecting the workforce.

Mrs Skeer said: "We found high workloads were affecting officers' well-being and their ability and capacity to investigate crime and carry out their role. 

"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. 

"The force needs to make sure it has effective systems that are used consistently to monitor workloads and provide support to officers.

"The force has introduced a variety of well-being initiatives to help and support its officers and staff, which have been well received.

"But I would like to see the force do more to support officers in high-risk roles, in particular those officers identified as in need of additional support."

In terms of positives, HMICFRS said West Yorkshire Police was outstanding in the way it records crime.

The watchdog added that the force was also effective in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. 

"The force is committed to neighbourhood policing and is continuing to invest in its neighbourhood policing model," Mrs Skeer said. 

"It has developed a wide range of initiatives designed to provide early intervention and to prevent and deter crime. 

"But the force should make sure it carefully manages any diverting of officers from their role as a neighbourhood officer to other teams. 

"It also needs to focus on improving the quality and consistency of its problem-solving plans."

She added: "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."

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable, John Robins (Image: Archive)

Chf Con Robins said: "I welcome the findings of His Majesty's Inspectorate following their inspection of West Yorkshire Police.  

"The inspectorate found that we perform well across many areas of the inspection framework. 

"I am especially pleased that our commitment to neighbourhood policing has been recognised so positively. 

"I am reassured to see that the integrity of our crime recording has also been acknowledged. 

"It is good to see the areas of 'promising practice' identified across the report. 

"I am proud of our achievements in reducing crime, improving how we handle calls from the public and speeding up the attendance at incidents and crime scenes.

"I am also pleased to see that the increasing number of people we charge with criminal offences has been acknowledged positively. 

"I know how hard our officers, staff and volunteers work every day to serve the public. 

"The inspectorate has noted many examples of where officers, staff and volunteers have provided exceptional service to victims. 

"As part of the process, the inspection has also highlighted some areas for improvement. 

"We will respond positively to these and improve our service where we need to. 

"For example, while we are charging more suspects with criminal offences than in previous years, in the context of an overstretched criminal justice system, we must do better to achieve the right outcomes for victims, achieve that more quickly and more consistently.

"Work is already underway with criminal justice partners to progress this and other areas for improvement."