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12
Mar
Government inspectors have today hailed significant improvements over the last year at North Yorkshire Police.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services questioned the force's ability to keep people safe and reduce crime in a highly critical report a year ago following an inspection in October 2022. It also criticised the speed of handling 101 and 999 calls.
But a new HMICFRS report, published today, found the constabulary was good in five areas of policing and adequate in four. Last year it was told it required improvement in four areas.
Michelle Skeer, HM Inspector of Constabulary, said in the Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy report:
Inspectors also check the effectiveness of services to victims but do not make a graded judgment for this.
The force's investigations were found to be mostly effective but the number of crimes solved is low.
Ms Skeer concluded:
ACC Foskett said a significant investment in the force control room had seen the average answer time for 999 calls fall from 16.2 seconds in January 2023 to 10.2 seconds in January 2024. He added:
Zoe Metcalfe
Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire police, fire and crime commissioner, said she was "beyond disappointed" after last year's report was published and pledged to hold the chief constable “robustly to account”.
Today Ms Metcalfe, whose role will be subsumed by the new mayoral combined office for York and North Yorkshire in May, hailed the "phenomenal progress that the force has made in such a short space of time".
She added:
The meeting will be held here.
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