Julia comments on North Yorkshire recorded crime figures

Commenting, Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said:

“I welcome confirmation that North Yorkshire remains the safest place in the country, with a crime rate of 49.7 per 1,000 of the population compared to 84.7 per 1,000 across England and Wales. However, these figures show an increase in recorded crime year-on-year and I know that will concern many people.

“While any rise gives cause concern, I want to also set out that we are currently going through a process of ensuring all crimes that do take place are properly recorded – by ensuring the police log every offence in the right way, as well as complying with national changes which require more crime to be recorded. I know this will lead to an increase in recorded crime, and I want to be clear that I expect that figure to continue to rise as we go through this vital process.

“I want to reassure residents that, in many cases, we are not seeing more crime, we are just becoming better at recording it.  Transparency and integrity are central to how we do things in North Yorkshire and it is crucial the police get this right so we have statistics we can rely on.  I will be holding the Chief Constable to account to that end.  So, whilst this might be a difficult process, it will help the police tackle crime and ensure resources are allocated appropriately in the future.”

For more information about the latest crime figures, please go to the Office of National Statistics website: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/policeforceareadatatables