A Welsh force has overhauled its crime reporting, the Inspectorate has revealed.

A Welsh force has rapidly improved in almost all aspects of crime recording, the police inspectorate has said.

Dyfed-Powys has been given a clean slate by HMI after being handed a cause for concern warning in May last year.

An audit found the force was only recording an estimated 87.6 percent of all reported crime – meaning an estimated 4,400 crimes were not recorded each year.

It found three critical areas that needed to improve including crime reporting processes. On this, HMI was alarmed at the approach to domestic abuse cases.

But there were also concerns over training plus the supervision of the crime-recording decisions made by officers and staff.

Crime reporting is not only a critical issue for dealing with offending; failing to record it can also end careers – as Greater Manchester found out last year when it was rated as a failing force.

A second audit earlier at Dyfed Powys this year found significant improvements in all three areas of concern.

It is now recording 91.6 per cent of all reported crime excluding fraud and specifically 98.8 per cent of sexual offences.

Staff training has also improved and as a result the inspectorate confirmed it would now discharge the cause of concern.

HM Inspector Wendy Williams said: “I am pleased that the force has now acted on our recommendations.   

“The people of Wales will rightly expect Dyfed-Powys Police to ensure their reports of crime are recorded, reported, and taken seriously. On their behalf, I welcome the improvements that have been made over the past year. We will continue to monitor the force’s performance to make sure that public safety comes first.”

The announcement is a major win for Chief Constable Richard Lewis who took charge in December last year – and his senior team.

CC Lewis said: “Outstanding news that we have improved significantly since last year’s inspection but we are always looking to further improve. My thanks to our incredible staff, officers and volunteers as we go from strength to strength.”