Policing and Crime
Responsibility for exercising the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner in West Yorkshire transferred to the West Yorkshire Mayor on 10th May 2021. Find out more about the role and responsibilities below.
Role and Responsibilities
With regards to policing and crime, the Mayor of West Yorkshire is responsible for:
- Securing the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force and holding the Chief Constable to account.
- Issuing a Police and Crime Plan, determining police and crime objectives.
- Attendance at the Police and Crime Panel.
- Preparing an annual report.
- Calculating a council tax or budget requirement (precept).
- Maintaining the Police Fund.
- Appointing, and where necessary, suspending or calling on a Chief Constable to retire or resign.
- Delegating some of these functions to a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime where appointed.
- Consulting the public to ensure that their views and priorities on community safety issues inform the police and crime plan.
- Commissioning of services which include supporting victims and tackling reoffending.
- Strengthening links such as inclusive growth and community safety and cohesion.
To provide stronger and more transparent accountability of the police, the Mayor of West Yorkshire holds the Chief Constable to account, helping to make the police answerable to the communities they serve.
The Mayor will ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and foster local relationships through building confidence. They will work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.
The Mayor does not run the police. The role is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account.
About the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
Alison Lowe OBE is the West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC).
The DMPC works with the Mayor to oversee policing in the county, on behalf of the public.
Other key functions include commissioning services to support those harmed by crime and reduce reoffending, consulting the public to ensure that their views and priorities are taken into account, strengthening links such as inclusive growth and community safety and cohesion.
Joint Independent Audit Committee Recruitment
We are looking to appoint two Independent Members to our Joint Independent Audit Committee who will provide independent assurance on the adequacy of risk management and financial controls for West Yorkshire Police and for the Mayor’s PCC functions.
This is a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution and to share your expertise as the Committee plays an important role in supporting the Mayor and Chief Constable in ensuring the right governance and control mechanisms are in place to help to improve and strengthen the delivery of policing for our communities.
Key Information
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The Police and Crime Plan sets the strategic direction for the Mayor's Policing and Crime function, West Yorkshire Police, and our wider partners.
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Support for Victims
The Supporting Victims pages are designed to show you what services are available across West Yorkshire and in your area. -
West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit
The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) brings together specialists from health, police, local government, education, youth justice, prisons, probation and community organisations to tackle violent crime and the underlying causes of violent crime.
Latest Policing and Crime News
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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
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"Let’s celebrate the progress we have made in changing perceptions and challenging those misguided attitudes. There is still much more to do, but I know West Yorkshire can continue to lead from the front."
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Co-Designed Safety of Women and Girls Strategy Commences
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The safety of women and girls remains at the heart of the agenda for the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin as plans continue to gather pace.
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Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund back with £270,000 in grants
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Voluntary, community groups, charities and partners can seek funding of up to £6000 for innovative projects which address at least one of the cross-cutting themes, and one of the priorities within the Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.
Contact
The Mayor's team covering policing and crime can be contacted via email, phone or post.
Who We Are and What We Do
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Who We Are
Find out more about the staff supporting the Mayor's policing and crime function. -
Complaints and Conduct
Find out more about the complaints process and how to make a complaint. -
Transparency
The Mayor has responsibilities to publish certain information with regards policing and crime as set out in The Elected Local Policing Bodies Specified Information Order. -
Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund
The fund will look to provide support to innovative projects which address at least one of the cross cutting themes within the draft Police and Crime Plan 2021-24. -
Holding the Chief Constable to Account
The Mayor is responsible for securing the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force and holding the Chief Constable to account. -
Finance
The Mayor will publish various financial information, including the police budget, precept, grants and contracts. -
Commissioning
The Mayor commissions a number of different providers to help with the delivery of services, which will benefit the communities of West Yorkshire, reduce crime and help victims to cope and recover from the harm they have suffered. -
Custody Visiting
Custody Visitors have an independent role, checking that people held in police custody (not yet convicted of any offence) are being properly treated. -
Domestic Servitude Animation
The real-life story of a survivor of domestic servitude has become the inspiration behind a new online animation aimed at the communities of West Yorkshire.
How We Work
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Freedom of Information and Data Sharing
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Making Decisions
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Modern Slavery Statement
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Youth Advisory Group
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Policies
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Joint Independent Audit and Ethics Committee
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The Police and Crime Panel
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Privacy Policy
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HMICFRS Responses
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Annual Report
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Partnership Working
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Misconduct Hearings and Police Appeals Tribunals (PATs)
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Community Alert
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CARA Project
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West Yorkshire Anti-Slavery Partnership
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National Anti-Slavery Network
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Community Trigger
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Community Remedy