Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has reacted to newly announced Home Office changes in the way that police record crime. These changes aim to reduce officers’ hours spent on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on preventing and solving the crimes which most impact local people.
The recording process is to be streamlined and simplified whilst ensuring that victims remain at the forefront of the police response to crime.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I welcome these changes that will take effect in the coming months. All reported crimes for a single incident will now consistently be recorded under the ‘principal offence’ rather than as multiple entries on a database that effectively re-records the same incident.
“By cutting red tape and freeing up thousands of hours in policing time, more officers will be able to concentrate on frontline policing, focus on solving crime and delivering justice for victims.
“The Chief Constable has also assured me that the level of support for victims will not be reduced because of any simplification of the recording process.
“Accurate recording of crime is already under the microscope in Sussex and the Force is working hard on improvements and positive change, always aiming to keep victims at the forefront of the policing response.
