A POLICE watchdog has urged the West Yorkshire force to urgently act on concerns about its handling of child protection cases.

The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary found West Yorkshire Police is “clearly committed to improving child protection services”, but there is more work to be done.

The force responded by saying it had increased resources to investigate child sexual exploitation and was reviewing issues raised.

It was revealed last week, 26 men on police bail are ‘likely’ to be charged as part of a major Keighley-based investigation into child sex grooming.

West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiries Team is carrying out the operation, predominantly centred on the town.

HMIC inspected the force’s work on child protection last August, as part of nationwide inspections. It said inspectors were pleased to find a clear commitment to improve child protection services, knowledgeable staff who are committed and dedicated to providing the best outcomes for the child, officers responding quickly to concerns about the safety of children, and good relationships with partner agencies and local safeguarding children boards.

But they were concerned about weak responses and delays in difficult, complex or prolonged cases, inconsistent responses to child sexual exploitation across the force area, poor recording on police systems, children being detained in police custody overnight and a lack of understanding.

The Inspector of Constabulary, Mike Cunningham, said West Yorkshire Police staff are dedicated and knowledgeable, working to provide the best outcomes for children. But he added: “There is more work to be done, particularly on the more difficult cases, to ensure delays are reduced wherever possible and instances of children being unnecessarily detained in police custody overnight are tackled.

“I encourage West Yorkshire Police to act on our recommendations as a matter of urgency, and have asked that within six weeks it provides us with an action plan to demonstrate how it will take forward these recommendations.”

Bradford councillor Ralph Berry, said there were issues of resources and pressures.

He added: “We have been working very closely to deal with some of the real challenges of child sexual exploitation, trafficking, neglect and abuse. But there is always more that can be done.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, said: “Protecting our children is of vital importance.”

An extra £3.5million has been made available to the police to deal with CSE, human trafficking and cyber crime, paying for up to 30 specialist investigators.

A further £467,000 will help increase awareness in schools, offer more support to victims and create a safeguarding advisor to co-ordinate the work.

Mr Burns-Williamson added: “I will be seeking an immediate update from the temporary chief constable to make sure the force has implemented all the recommendations in the report.”