Overall Crime Up In West Yorkshire

Friday, 22 July 2016 14:00

Crime figures show that overall recorded crime in West Yorkshire has risen as the impact of the latest changes in how West Yorkshire Police records crime continues to be shown.

These figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that overall recorded crime has risen by 28.5% in the 12 months from April 2015 to March 2016. However the ONS has clearly noted that the majority of the rise is due to improved recording practices.

West Yorkshire Police have been working to make sure their recording processes are more consistent which has led to these latest statistics in line with the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS).

Previously, while crimes were being properly investigated, they were not always recorded correctly, particularly at the initial stage, however this has now been rectified in West Yorkshire along with other police forces across England and Wales.

Closer analysis of the crime data shows that the actual increase was around 4.5%.

West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson (pictured) said:

"It's important to put these latest figures into context...albeit dating back to March this year."

"West Yorkshire has been praised by the independent inspectorate (HMIC) for the approach we have taken to recording crime, and the increases have been anticipated following these important sustained efforts to improve crime recording practices."

"It is, of course, a concern that the number of recorded public order, violence without injury and sexual offences have increased. Some of these increases can be accounted for in part by historic offences, increased confidence in reporting and more consistent recording of these crime types. I will be raising this with the Temporary Chief Constable to discuss what more can be done to bring these figures down, but I am expecting a new baseline to be established this year."

"Severe government cuts of £140m since 2010 have resulted in the loss of around 2000 police jobs which continues to have an impact in our communities and the pressure this puts on the police. However, I have continually protected the frontline as much as possible and this year I have set a budget to recruit hundreds (600) new police officers and will protect the number of PCSOs locally who do a vital job in keeping us safe. It's crucial that we now start to rebuild our police numbers following years of Government austerity cuts to policing in West Yorkshire."

Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins said:

"This increase should be put into context - it is clear that the effect of crime recording changes has had a big impact on the headline figure for a rise in crime, but this is being experienced nationally and it is not something confined solely to this force."

"I also want to reassure our communities that up until 2014/15 crime had fallen in West Yorkshire for 11 consecutive years and that, despite some ongoing budgetary pressures, we are now recruiting 600 officers."

We are a smaller organisation than in previous years but everyone who works for West Yorkshire Police is committed to keeping communities safe and protecting the most vulnerable ensuring this is completed with fairness, integrity and respect."

Crime prevention is now at our heart and through effective problem solving we can strive to achieve sustainable solutions for reductions in crime and more positive outcomes for our communities and victims."

I would encourage members of our communities to come forward and report matters to us. Hate crime, Domestic violence and child sexual exploitation are not acceptable and we need to know how we can help’’

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