A new police unit set up in Kirklees to ensure that the public are receiving the highest possible service from the police is already having an effect.

Headed by Insp Danny Groiser, the Kirklees Police Quality and Standards Unit has been created to deal with any complaints from the public about the service they have received from the police, as well as developing officers and staff to maintain and improve work and performance standards.

Since the unit was established last July, they have continued to oversee a reduction in the number of complaints being received to Kirklees police.

The new unit has also slashed the amount of time it takes to deal with a complaint.

Prior to the creation of the unit, on average it took 82 days to finalise a complaint. This has now been cut to 35 days, meaning that complainants are receiving a much more efficient service from the police. This is also of benefit to officers who are the subject of any complaints.

Insp Groiser said: "From time to time, people do contact us to report that they have not received the level of service they expected from the police.

"While the overwhelming majority of officers and staff do an excellent job in often difficult conditions, the Quality and Standards Unit intends to listen to your needs, learn the lessons when things don't go as well as they could have and continually develop our staff so we can provide the best service possible to the public.

"When things do go wrong people can expect a swift and professional response and we see this as a fantastic opportunity to improve one of the best performing Divisions in the county even further," he said.

Six officers, all with backgrounds in police training, operational policing and complaint handling, make up the unit who, as well as listening to people's problems, are also keen to hear of good experiences that people have with the police.

Insp Groiser added: "As part of our work we are also looking to identify examples of good work by our officers and we need the help of the public to do that. We are also therefore asking that people contact us with positive feedback."