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The force says...

With a population of over 2.2 million, West Yorkshire Police is the fourth largest force in the country and is comprised of an economically, socially and culturally diverse population. There are five local authorities, covering urban and rural communities, with coterminous policing districts.

West Yorkshire has a higher than average demand in relation to crime and calls for service.  This reflects the challenges faced, as over half of the wards have areas in the top 10% of the deprivation index and unemployment is above the national average.

The black, Asian and minority ethnic population is increasing and is currently 18.2%. Maintaining community confidence is essential and engagement is improving as a result of the Force’s innovative positive action recruitment campaign.

District policing provides local neighbourhood, response, crime investigation and safeguarding functions, supported centrally by specialist operational and crime capabilities and back office services. The force is focused on improving its approach to safeguarding, working in partnership to better identify and support those at risk.

The force hosts the National Police Air Service and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, which manages locally the threat from Daesh/IS inspired groups and the increasing threat from the extreme right wing. The force collaborates across the Yorkshire and Humber Region around operational and support services and leads on the provision of scientific support.

West Yorkshire Police is operating on a budget that has reduced by £147m since 2010 whilst seeing increasing demand, particularly in the areas of child sexual exploitation and abuse, mental health, missing persons and terrorism.

Our workforce comprises 5129 police officers and 4407 police staff (including 637 police community support officers). Together with universities, we are developing new ways of working through successful funding bids, particularly in relation to cyber enabled offending and our use of technology to meet the changing nature of crime.

Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by West Yorkshire Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.