Humberside Police's new Chief Constable on what is behind reduced crime figures in 2024

'I'VE INHERITED A BRILLIANT TEAM'

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

HUMBERSIDE Police's new Chief Constable has credited the force's clear victim focus approach, good governance and “brilliant police officers and staff” being behind improved force area crime figures.

In 2024, there was a 7 per cent fall (rounded to nearest per cent) in recorded crime in the Humberside region, compared to the year before.

Across England and Wales, recorded crime figures also fell, but by 3 per cent.

For most criminal offences, Humberside Police area saw falls in their prevalence.

This includes bicycle thefts (down 14 per cent), burglaries (down 3 per cent), and sexual offences (down 3 per cent).

New Chief Constable Chris Todd began in the role on April 7, having previously worked as an Assistance Chief Constable in Northern Ireland.

He spoke to Hull Live about the crime figures.

A level of ‘quite unusual’ scrutiny and grip

Chief Constable Todd was asked what he believed was behind the reduced crime trend in Humberside. “For me, this is a question about performance.”

Performance wherever one worked was about three things, he said: clarity of purpose, having the right team, and good governance.

“I’ve been saying the same thing consistently,” he said since taking on the role, “which is that I want Humberside Police to be an outstanding, globally acclaimed police service, which is victim-focused, community-focused and workforce-focused.”

“I’m fortunate that I've inherited a brilliant team across Humberside Police,” he said.

“Most of it goes unreported, but the commitment and professionalism that’s evident is really impressive.”

A culture of looking for room for improvement was already evident, he said, seven weeks into heading the force. “That goes a long way to seeing some of those improvements you've just referenced around crime recording.”