GWENT'S Police and Crime Commissioner caused something of a storm when, shortly after being elected, he questioned the accuracy of crime figures.

Ian Johnston's suggestion that some crimes were being recorded incorrectly and that this could mean figures looked better than they were provoked a row with the chief constable at the time, Carmel Napier, that was the precursor to her controversial departure from the force.

It would now appear Mr Johnston was quite right to turn over a few stones.

A new report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary highlights Mr Johnston's review and also shows the effect it is having on other forces in England and Wales.

The Crime Data Integrity Report makes some recommendations for improvement for Gwent Police but generally says the force has improved the accuracy of its crime reporting.

One effect of the changes Mr Johnston has brought in has been an increase in recorded crime levels for the force.

This is now replicated in 29 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, proving Mr Johnston's point that crime was not being recorded properly across the country.

Hopefully this is a watershed moment for crime recording.

While the most important factor for the public is the standard of service they receive from the police, they also need to have faith in the crime statistics their local force produces.

It would appear Mr Johnston was right all along.