Force defends its handling of Dewsbury electoral fraud investigation

Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Simon Reevell had said in the House of Commons that police seemed reluctant to act because those said to be involved were Asian.

But Chf Supt Dave Lunn said the allegations were being taken ‘extremely seriously’.

He said West Yorkshire Police was one of the few forces in the country to have a dedicated team for this type of crime.

“In the case of Dewsbury South, we have investigated every allegation that has been made since the May elections and will continue to follow any lines of enquiry brought to our attention,” he said.

A number of people have been formally interviewed under caution as part of ongoing election fraud investigations.

Chf Supt Lunn said: “It matters not who makes such allegations or where they reside, where there is evidence of offences being committed we will take positive action.”

Phone Det Insp Andrew Leonard via 101 with any voting fraud information.