Police cost of translating tops £1million

West Yorkshire Police paid more than £1 million last year on interpreters and translators for foreign criminals, new figures reveal.

Last year £1.04 million was spent- up from £580,584 in 2003/4, a rise of 79 per cent over the five-year period.

Nationally the bill has risen by 63 per cent to more than £22 million in the same period, according to details obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Shadow Minister for Police Reform, David Ruffley, who asked for the numbers, said: 'These figures suggest we are importing more foreign criminals and consequently spending already-stretched police budgets on translations rather than on more front-line policing of our streets. As the Chief Consta-ble of Cambridgeshire said last year, migration into the UK has put even greater strain on already-tight police force budgets.'

Police are required to provide information in the offender's language and provide a translator when necessary if someone is arrested or charged with a criminal offence under the Human Rights Act.

West Yorkshire Police said as well as being the fourth largest force in the country it was also one of the most diverse. Interpreters are used for various reasons including dealing with suspects and witnesses including victims of crime, as well as dealing with the general public who do not speak English or have some disability which requires the use of specialist interpreters, a spokesman said.

He added: 'The make-up of our communities continues to change due to a variety of factors, for example the enlargement of the Euro-pean Union. In order to respond to these changing needs the provision of interpreters has increased over the last few years.

'It is essential that we invest in ensuring we can communicate with all of the county's residents and visitors, including those from different nationalities and those with disabilities, to ensure we deliver a quality service to the community.'