WEST Yorkshire Police have been allocated 256 officers out of the first tranche of 6,000 nationally as force strengths are boosted.

And the number of recruits is expected to reach around 800 over the next three years, depending on the outcome of any funding formula review.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, welcomes the additional resources.

But he says numbers are still well short of where they were.

“Since 2010 West Yorkshire has lost 2,000 officers and staff and more than £140 million from its budget,” said Mr Burns-Williamson.

“While I acknowledge the extra resources, a lot of work needs to be done to get to the numbers we were.

“We also need clarity as to exactly how the officers are going to be funded, so that we can plan ahead properly on top of the officers and staff to be recruited through the police council tax.

“I am concerned that resources have been allocated using a formula that doesn’t take into account crime threat and individual needs of forces, as we face significant demands being an area of complex challenge and diversity across the districts of West Yorkshire.”