North Yorkshire Police has received a good rating in six key areas of a major national inspection report published on 22 April 2026, marking a significant performance improvement for the force covering York and the surrounding area. The assessment, conducted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, highlights progress in how the force prevents crime, supports vulnerable people, and manages its workforce.
The inspectors awarded the good rating in the categories of leadership and force management, workforce development, using powers fairly, preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, safeguarding vulnerable people, and managing fraud. These findings reflect a period of change for the organisation, which has also seen a 9.5 percent reduction in crime over the last two years. According to the report, North Yorkshire now records the lowest overall crime rate per head of population across England and Wales.
For residents in York, the focus on local service is supported by a recent £1.9 million investment. By March 2026, this government funding enabled the force to add 32 police officers and 20 police community support officers to its neighbourhood teams. These additional staff members are tasked with increasing police visibility and strengthening relationships with the community. This focus is particularly relevant in York, where data from North Yorkshire Council shows that the city accounted for nearly 34 percent of all antisocial behaviour in the region between May 2024 and April 2025.
The inspection also noted improvements in how the force handles incoming calls. The average response time for 999 emergencies has dropped from seven seconds to four seconds over the past two years, while the average wait for non-emergency 101 calls has decreased from four minutes and 41 seconds to three minutes.
While the overall report was positive, the inspection did identify areas requiring further work. The force was rated as adequate for its response to the public and its investigation of crime, while its custody environment was identified as an area that requires improvement. Deputy Chief Constable Scott Bisset welcomed the overall findings as a reflection of the hard work and commitment shown by the staff at North Yorkshire Police.
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