Safety for women and girls at the heart of the Mayor’s first Police and Crime Plan

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has published her first Police and Crime Plan with a vision of making the county safe, just, and inclusive.

10th March 2022

Mayor launches first Police and Crime Plan

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has today (10/03) published her first Police and Crime Plan with a vision of making the county safe, just, and inclusive. It coincides with a series of events marking International Women’s Day, as the safety of women and girls sits at the heart of the 3-year strategy. This crucial document sets out the strategic direction for West Yorkshire Police, working with community safety partners and commissioned services. It highlights increasing police officer and staff numbers; putting victims first; and ensuring our police force represents the communities it serves. There is also an emphasis on safer places and thriving communities, recognising the impact of Covid and poverty.

Likewise, it addresses key concerns around child sexual exploitation, sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and road safety. Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime are visiting the Rosalie Ryrie Foundation, where they will officially launch the plan. The charity was created to provide a service to help victims, perpetrators, young people, children, and families through all forms of abusive behaviour.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said:

"The Rosalie Ryrie Foundation and the fantastic work it does, really reflect the purpose and values of my first Police and Crime Plan. This particular charity has been supported by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), for which I oversee, and is a great platform to spearhead our future ambitions. I said in my manifesto pledge that I would place the safety of women and girls at the centre of my Police and Crime Plan and I have stood by that promise. After undertaking one of the biggest consultation exercises our county has ever seen, I know that it has the support of our communities and reflects what they want. Devolution has given us control of the reins, which means we can now deliver for the people of West Yorkshire in a way, which we have never done before. I see this as a once in a generation opportunity to focus our efforts on the issues which matter most to our communities.”

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE said:

“I am thrilled to have joined Tracy and to have played a part in developing this new Police and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire. It consolidates what we heard from people, communities and partners far and wide and outlines our clear determination to tackling the issues which exist. It’s success centres on working together and collaborations wider than just between the police, local authorities and the criminal justice system. Both Tracy and I are committed to leading change, trying new ways of working, and thinking outside the box, and I feel this plan embodies this approach and sets a clear, bold direction for West Yorkshire.”

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins QPM added:

“We really welcome the depth and breadth of the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire. This provides a great framework for all agencies across West Yorkshire to contribute to reducing crime and disorder within our communities. West Yorkshire Police is fully committed to playing its part, to help turn this plan into reality. Police officers, staff and volunteers across West Yorkshire Police will continue to work in partnership with other agencies, the voluntary sector, businesses, individuals and communities. The continued hard work of all involved is key to continuing and maintaining the crime reductions we have seen over recent years.

Safety for women and girls is rightly at the centre of this plan. We continue to invest significant resources in understanding the issues that specifically concern women and girls. We were pleased to recently be announced as a national ‘exemplar force’ for the way we combat violence against women and girls, but there is still so much more to be done.

I am absolutely resolute and steadfast in our commitment to Neighbourhood Policing. It is essential that we are visible, accessible and familiar within our communities. It is also part of our ongoing commitment to be a truly inclusive organisation, that represents and serves all of our communities. We are proud to be one of only two police services in the country to be in the Top 50 Most Inclusive Employers. But again, there is still much more to be done.

This Police and Crime Plan is rightly challenging, but achievable. We look forward to working closely with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. We will continue to improve our performance across all areas of policing, despite already being declared as one of the best performing forces in the country by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).”