POLICE in West Yorkshire spend more time on the beat than any other force in the country, say latest figures.
A new Home Office national report says West Yorkshire officers spent over 70% of their time working in front-line policing including patrols.
Compared with 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.
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.
It also showed that the amount of time spent just by patrol officers outside of police stations had risen by nearly 7% since 2004.
Since the survey was taken, a relaunch of Neighbourhood Police Teams across West Yorkshire has also taken place to increase the number of officers available for Neighbourhood Policing and increase their visibility in communities.
Asst Chief Constable David Evans 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, PCSOs 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.”
