Coronavirus / COVID-19

Police across West Yorkshire are working hard to keep the public safe amid the ongoing threat from the Coronavirus pandemic.

We are continuing to provide all the essential services you expect from us, while supporting the NHS and other organisations to help keep everyone safe.

The Coronavirus outbreak has affected us all

The single most important action we can all take, in fighting Coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.

The Government's national lockdown measures will help to control the spread of the disease.

During the current lockdown restrictions you must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary.

You may leave the home to:

shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
attend education or childcare - for those eligible

For more detailed advice - please read the Government's national lockdown measures.

Reducing the spread

By reducing day-to-day contact with other people, you can reduce the spread of the infection.

Stay at home as much as possible
Work from home if you can
Limit contact with other people
Wash your hands regularly
Wear a face covering / face mask when required (read more about when/where face coverings are required here)
Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)

Hands. Face. Space.

Approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.

Remember - ‘Hands. Face. Space.’

hands – wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

In all circumstances, you should follow the guidance on meeting others safely.

Please do not call Police for Coronavirus guidance
Please visit the Gov.uk website for the latest advice and information on Coronavirus
Click here to Report a breach of the Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Restrictions

We need your support to help us concentrate our efforts where they are needed most - protecting the vulnerable - so please only call 999 if a crime is in progress or there is a threat to life.

For all other non-emergencies, please report crime online, or share information with us online using our 101 Live Chat facility.

Please help us keep 101 for those who do not have access to the website.

Online contact methods / crime reporting

There are various methods to contact the Police, which can be done from the safety of your own home, including telephone, 101 Live Chat and online reporting.

Our 'report it' section allows you to report minor crimes, hate crime, anti-social behaviour, as well as tracking the progress of a previously reported crime.

Likewise, you can leave a message for an officer, manage lost and found property or a manage a firearms registration.

You can also reach us via the 101 Live Chat facility and there is contact information for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Click here to report a breach of the Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Restrictions

Click here to report domestic abuse online

All our contact options can be found at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contact-us

Also see our Coronavirus 'Ask The Police' Frequently Asked Questions section.

Safe Spaces

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, if you are experiencing domestic abuse you can visit any Boots store and ask to use their consultancy room, where they can provide you information and support. Click here for more information and to find your nearest Boots pharmacy.

YouTube video

A message from Chief Constable John Robins QPM

Chief Constable John Robins QPM said :

“We have a responsibility to ensure that the public are abiding by the new restrictions placed upon us all. I am pleased to see that the vast majority of people have been heeding the advice, helping to slow the spread and reduce demand on our stretched health services.

"We will continue to encourage compliance with new stay at home rules, warning and advising if necessary and trying to help people to understand what they should be doing."

“I am sure most people understand the need for restrictions, but where people persist in not complying, we will use the powers at our disposal. Where people repeatedly fail to abide by the restrictions and fail to contribute to slowing the spread of coronavirus, I have asked my officers to be robust in applying these new powers.”

Chief Constable John Robins QPM Video Text Transcript44.61 KB

MP3 Audio File - Coronavirus – New Police Powers: Video Message by Chief Constable John Robins QPM, West Yorks Police 1.69 MB

Public helpdesks

In line with Government advice around Coronavirus / COVID-19, the majority of West Yorkshire Police's Public Helpdesk facilities remain open for business.

If you need to attend a Public Helpdesk, could we please ask that you observe the 2 metre social distancing rule, consider wearing a face covering / face mask, and only attend if absolutely necessary to ensure your safety and that of our staff.

Click here to find more details of the current opening times of your nearest Police station and public helpdesk

Update : 8th January 2021 Leeds Central, Pontefract and Todmorden public helpdesks are temporarily closed.

Other non-essential services

In order to support our front line, there may be some changes to the following non-essential services for the foreseeable future :

Register as an overseas visitor (Foreign National Registration Scheme)
Firearms Licensing
PACT and NPT Community Meetings
All planned Neighbourhood Policing Team community meetings are currently cancelled. To check future events visit the My Neighoubourhood pages to find your local team.

Crime prevention

While the current situation is bringing out the best in many of our communities, we may also see a rise in some specific crimes as a result of the measures brought in to combat Coronavirus:

Force Coronavirus news

News Release : August Bank Holiday Weekend Message from West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council 14th August 2020
People across Leeds are being reminded to help keep their communities safe from the spread of Coronavirus by avoiding any large gatherings, particularly during this coming August Bank Holiday weekend where a number of key events have been cancelled.
News Release : UK Finance Reveals ten Covid-19 scams the Public Should be on high alert for 29th July 2020
UK Finance unveils ten Covid-19 and lockdown scams the public should be on high alert for and how to spot them
News Release : Stay Safe this Bank Holiday Weekend 7th May 2020
West Yorkshire Police is urging the public to continue to observe social distancing rules, ahead of the second Bank Holiday weekend under Government restrictions.
News Release : Appeal: Police Issue Coronavirus Distraction Burglary Warning, Dewsbury 28th April 2020
Police are urging residents in Dewsbury to be on their guard after two women tricked their way into victim’s homes by claiming they had a Coronavirus vaccine.
News Release : COVID-19 assaults 'wholly unacceptable', says Deputy Chief Constable 28th April 2020
West Yorkshire Police officers and staff were assaulted on a dozen separate occasions last week by people suffering from, or claiming to have, COVID-19.
News Release : National Security Experts Urge Public To Report Coronavirus Related Email Scams 22nd April 2020
Press release from the National Cyber Security Centre
A 'Cyber Aware' campaign and other services have been launched to combat cyber security threats
News Release : Special Constables go the extra mile to help during COVID-19 Pandemic 20th April 2020
Special Constables across West Yorkshire have contributed to working more than 2500 hours in the last week.
News Release : Coronavirus - Easter Message ACC Tim Kingsman 9th April 2020
West Yorkshire Police is urging the public to Stay Home, protect the NHS and Save Lives this Easter weekend.
News Release : Partial Closure to Helpdesk Facilities 2nd April 2020
West Yorkshire Police Helpdesks at Leeds Central, Northgate Wakefield, Pontefract and Todmorden have now closed until further notice in order that staff can maintain service provision at our larger stations in our policing districts.
News Release : Innovative System Supporting Forces During Coronavirus 1st April 2020
The innovative Telephone Witness Statement system implemented by West Yorkshire Police, is being shared nationwide to help other police forces cope with their demand and further reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
News Release : Force Urges Be Safe On The Phone While Staying At Home 27th March 2020
West Yorkshire Police are once again warning people to be on their guard against phone scammers. It comes after police in Bradford received a crime report where a man in his seventies fell victim to a cold caller, who claimed to be from the National Crime Agency (NCA).
News Release : Coronavirus – New Police Powers: Video Message by Chief Constable 26th March 2020
Video message by West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins QPM in relation to the ongoing threat from the Coronavirus pandemic, and new police powers to help keep people safe and slow the spread.
News Release : Police Helpdesk Services During Coronavirus 25 March 2020
In line with Government advice around Coronavirus / COVID-19, all West Yorkshire Police Helpdesk facilities currently remain open for business. Slight changes, however, have been made to the opening hours.
News Release : Help the Force to Keep Responding 20 March 2020
Advice on how to contact the officer in your case online, using our online Local Crimetracker tool and Contact Officer facility
News Release : Police Reassure Public Amid Coronavirus Pandemic 19 March 2020
Police across West Yorkshire are working hard to keep the public safe amid the ongoing threat from the Coronavirus pandemic. West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins and West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson today reassured communities that plans were in place to ensure that West Yorkshire Police continued to provide a service to the public.
News Release : Taking Your Statements 'Down the Line' During Coronavirus 19 March 2020
Victims and witnesses across West Yorkshire are being urged to take advantage of Telephone Witness Statements during the continuing Coronavirus outbreak. The service allows those who have been subject of a crime to provide a statement over the phone without ever having to attend a police station or receive a visit.

Other sources of help and advice

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Policing Powers Easy Read

The easy read document is currently being updated and will be re-added once it is available.