Force ‘fails to record over 5,300 crimes a year’

NORTH Wales Police are failing to record more than 5,000 crimes a year, including nearly one in five violent crimes, according to a report by a police watchdog.

Every year, the force is failing to record more than 50 sexual offences and 63 domestic abuse cases reported to it, according to a report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which said the force required improvement.

It found the force recorded 88.3% of crimes, but estimated that this means it is not recording more than 5,300 reports of crime each year, saying those failings are depriving victims of services to which they are entitled.

It estimated that more than 2,800 violent crimes may be going unrecorded each year, as only 82.9% of violent crimes reported to the force are recorded.

The force records 96.9% of sexual offence crimes reported to it, meaning it was estimated the force fails to record more than 50 reported sexual offence crimes each year.

HMICFRS said North Wales Police’s recording rate is very good and is indicative of the effort made by the force to improve crime recording since its 2014 report.

Of a total of 1,150 reports of crime audited, 318 were assessed to be crimes related to domestic abuse.

Of these 318 crimes, the force had recorded 255. The 63 offences not recorded included 52 violent crimes and 11 other crimes.

HMICFRS found that many of the crimes went unrecorded with little rationale to explain why.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “It is concerning to find that officers and staff are often not making accurate crime-recording decisions at the first opportunity, particularly when dealing with reports of violent crime, especially domestic abuse incidents.

“This results in victims often not getting the early support they need.

“I am encouraged by the concerted effort that the force has taken since its last inspection. Improvements must continue to be made.”

DCC Gareth Pritchard, of North Wales Police, said: “We will be providing further training and support to staff and I am confident that the changes already made since the inspection visit in June have improved our processes and our service to victims.”