WEST Yorkshire Police has been rated ‘Good’ by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

The HMIC investigation looked at the force’s effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy in 2016 when keeping people safe and reducing crime.

Michael Cunningham, HM’s Inspector of Constabulary, said: “I am very pleased with the overall performance of West Yorkshire Police.

“I am particularly pleased with the improvements West Yorkshire Police has made in how it protects vulnerable people and supports victims.

“The force has increased the number of staff dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable victims and, through its training programmes, raised the workforce’s awareness of vulnerability and its role in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

“I am also pleased with how the force has improved its approach to investigating crime. It is good in its first response, preserving and collecting evidence effectively.”

He added: “In summary, the force provides a good level of service to the people of West Yorkshire. I am pleased that it has maintained its performance since my previous assessment.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is a very positive report and it is pleasing to see that HMIC have recognised the comprehensive on-going work to safeguard vulnerable people and provide support to victims of crime which meets important outcomes in the Police and Crime Plan.

“HMIC also found that West Yorkshire Police are good at tackling serious and organised crime, specifically that they are improving their response to newer threats such as human trafficking, cyber crime and child sexual exploitation and I have thanked the Chief Constable for the work of West Yorkshire Police in keeping West Yorkshire safe and feeling safe.

“HMIC have noted that West Yorkshire Police needs to make improvements in its ability to prevent crime and tackle anti-social behaviour. Work is already on-going in these areas and I will be monitoring progress closely through regular meetings with the Chief Constable and our partners as they work together to problem solve in and for our communities.

“Cuts to our police service have undoubtedly contributed to this, however, the recent recruitment of police officers and protection of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will help us to address this concern and I am working closely with West Yorkshire Police to review and develop our neighbourhood policing approach.”

Deputy Chief Constable John Robins of West Yorkshire Police said: “We welcome the publication of the HMIC’s third PEEL assessment of West Yorkshire Police today, which highlights the efforts ongoing by officers and staff to provide a standard of policing our residents have the right to expect in West Yorkshire.

“Being assessed as “good” by HMIC should provide reassurance to the residents of West Yorkshire about their local police service and, for our officers and staff, is a positive acknowledgement of their hard work in difficult circumstances.

“It is pleasing to see the force’s investment in safeguarding in particular has been praised, as protecting the most vulnerable is at the core of our work as a policing service.

“Whilst no specific recommendations were made for West Yorkshire Police, we are aware improvements still need to be made. Neighbourhood Policing remains the bedrock of our service, but due to reduced funding has been a particular challenge to maintain. We note the comments made about it by the Inspectorate. We know what works well in terms of Neighbourhood Policing and we have plans in place allocate more resources to this area of work. However there are many competing demands on policing with reduced funding, but we are determined to maintain and improve our Neighbourhood Policing service. Visible Neighbourhood Policing is at the heart of keeping people safe, preventing crime and reducing anti-social behaviour.

“Our aim remains to deliver the best policing service we can with the money and resources we have. We also remain determined to attract and maintain a workforce which is representative of all the communities we serve and which has the skills and capabilities to meet their future needs.”