Last updated 27/03/20

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “Officers and staff at West Yorkshire Police, and my office are all committed to doing everything we can to support our communities during these unprecedented times.

I am regularly in contact with the Chief Constable on how West Yorkshire Police are adapting and responding to these ongoing issues and I am assured the situation is being managed effectively in such challenging circumstances through the West Yorkshire resilience structures.

I would urge everyone to take sensible precautions to avoid the spread of this virus, we all have a duty to look after one another. That includes following the public health advice issued with regard to hand washing, social distancing and encouraging anyone who feels unwell to self-isolate immediately for their own and protection of others.

I would ask you to look after one another and ensure we are all doing all we can to support our most vulnerable members of society, and our key workers, during this time of uncertainty.

Be safe.

Health Guidance

For the latest health updates and guidance from the Government visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance 

NHS guidance can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Volunteering Opportunities

There are a variety of volunteering opportunities to help in the fight against COVID-19, please see the list below:

• NHS - https://www.england.nhs.uk/participation/get-involved/volunteering/nhs-volunteer-responders/
• Bradford – https://www.bradford.gov.uk/emergencies/council-service-disruptions/coronavirus-covid-19-volunteering-and-community-support/
• Calderdale – https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/jobs-and-volunteering/volunteering/coronavirus-volunteering
• Kirklees – https://volunteeringkirklees.org.uk/
• Leeds – https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/news/2020/03/17/become-a-community-care-volunteer-to-help-with-covid-19/
• Wakefield - https://volunteerwakefield.org/ 

Local Council Support

Your local Council has webpages with useful updates and support:

•    Bradford  - https://www.bradford.gov.uk/health/health-advice-and-support/coronavirus-covid-19-advice/
•    Calderdale – https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/health-and-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-and-updates
•    Kirklees – https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2020/03/19/coronavirus-latest-kirklees0news/
•    Leeds – https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus
•    Wakefield – http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/about-the-council/coronavirus-information

Support Services

Victim Support West Yorkshire 
Victim Support West Yorkshire have moved to full remote working and can be contacted by phone on 0300 303 1971 or by live chat at https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/yorkshire-and-humber/west-yorkshire

Sexual Assault Referral Centre 
The Hazlehurst Centre SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers free support and practical help to anyone in West Yorkshire who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. They can be contact on 0330 223 0099 or visit https://www.hazlehurstcentre.org/

Local Support Organisations/Help for those isolating 
Support groups have been created across West Yorkshire. If you are self-isolating and need some support check out the full list here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bWIuq_jYKOeSYSu-FswUVzRsxrEtS4PsQ1ESeSjuzMs/htmlview?usp=sharing&sle=true

Mental Health and wellbeing
Mind have created a page full of useful tips to stay positive which can be found here https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

The Hub of Hope helps you to find local support organisations. Enter your postcode to find the nearest support options for any mental health issue from depression, anxiety to PTSD, suicidal thoughts, as well as a ‘talk now’ button connecting to the Samaritans, visit https://hubofhope.co.uk 

The NHS created an Every Mind Matters page which contains information on mental health specifically relating to coronavirus and staying home visit https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Hate Crime
Options for reporting hate crime to the police can be found here https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/hatecrime  

If you want to report a hate crime but you'd rather not speak to the police Stop Hate can help, visit https://www.stophateuk.org/resources/west-yorkshire-hate-crime-reporting-app/

Government information for victims and witnesses
Government Information on accessing victim and witness support services can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-victim-and-witness-services

Reporting a crime/contacting West Yorkshire Police

The public can help West Yorkshire Police manage demand by taking advantage of online reporting options where possible, visit: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contact-us

Information on visiting Police Stations can be found here: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/news-appeals/important-information-visitors-police-stations

Always call 999 in an emergency. 

Contacting the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Due to the Coronavirus advice the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson and his office are now working remotely. This means that face to face meetings at the office and elsewhere will not be taking place and we are not able to deal with correspondence posted through our letter box, either in person or by Royal Mail.

The PCC and his office are still contactable by email [email protected] and telephone 01924 294000 in the usual manner.

Coronavirus Act 2020

The Coronavirus Act 2020 (https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/coronavirus.html) became law on Thursday 26th March 2020. A summary of the police powers associated with the can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/police-given-new-powers-and-support-to-respond-to-coronavirus

Other key links

•    West Yorkshire Resilience Forum - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/WYRF
•    Community Alerts - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/west-yorkshire-community-alert