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This meant officers ihn West Yorkshire spent more time on the front lines than any other Police force according to national data published by the Home Office for 2007 to 2008.
Compared to a previous sample made in November 2006, it showed that officers were spending more of their time on front line policing activities such as dealing with neighbourhood issues, anti social behaviour and crime.
Duties which officers spent time taking part in away from the front lines included court duties, property enquires, crime prevention activity and ID parades which often directly relate to matters which happen during patrol work.
The report also revealed that, year on year, the number of officer and staff actually visible to the public had increased as had the amount of people available for work.
Finally it also showed that the amount of time spent just by patrol officers (which includes NPT staff and PCSO’s) outside of police stations had risen by nearly 7 per cent since 2004.
Since the survey was made a relaunch of Neighbourhood Police Teams across West Yorkshire has also taken place to increase the amount of officers available for Neighbourhood Policing and increase their visibility in communities.
Assistant Chief Constable David Evans, head of the Force’s Local Policing Department, said: “Clearly it is excellent news that officers in West Yorkshire are spending more of their time on the front line and we are pleased to have become the most successful force in the country at getting our officers and staff out in public.
“While police officers, PCSO’s and staff do of course have a number of necessary duties to perform behind the scenes we recognise that people want to see police out in communities and tackling crime.”
Mr Evans said the focus for West Yorkshire Police over the coming months would very much continue to be getting officers out in public working at the heart of their communities.
“This is what we have been working to achieve and are continuing to focus on through schemes such as the NPT relaunch,” he added. |
