A WATCHDOG has criticised the recording of crime by a number of police forces including North Yorkshire.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, issuing an interim report following an inspection of the 13 forces, said it had found weak or absent management and supervision of crime-recording, and significant under-recording of crime.

It said it also found serious sexual offences not being recorded, and some offenders having been issued with out-of-court disposals when their offending history could not justify it.

The Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Tom Winsor, said the accuracy and integrity of police-recorded crime data was vital to public trust in the police.

North Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said the force was awaiting a detailed report specific to it. "However, we have already acted upon the initial feedback to ensure we continue to improve on the services we provide," he said.

“North Yorkshire Police operates a robust and ethical system of crime recording, which is subject to a high level of scrutiny to ensure it meets the standards set out by the Home Office."

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said the report gave her cause for concern and she would be speaking to the Chief Constable urgently to ensuring the necessary steps were being undertaken to resolve any under-recording of crime.