Crime falls by 11 per cent in West Yorkshire but force may not be able to cope with further budget cuts

The Office for National Statistics released the latest figures today as Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary warned West Yorkshire Police may not be able to cope with further cuts to its budget.

Overall, recorded crime in Yorkshire and the Humber is down a total of 16 per cent between April 2012 and March 2012.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: “Police forces across Yorkshire and Humberside have shown an impressive ability to rise to the challenge of making savings while still cutting crime.

“This government has played its part by slashing red tape and scrapping targets to enable the police to focus on crime fighting.

“We have encouraged chief constables to make savings in back offices to give renewed focus on the frontline and we are seeing the benefits of those efficiencies.”

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary reported today that West Yorkshire Police is one of five forces which will struggle to cope with further budget cuts.

The force has already been hit by budget cuts of 20 per cent. And it will have to find a further £269m of saving in 2015 and 2016.

HM Inspector of Constabulary, Zoe Billingham, said neighbourhood police teams, which have previously been protected from cuts, could be affected.