HANDCUFFS, bicycles and caps are among dozens of items stolen from police in Bradford.

Property was taken from officers, police vehicles and even police stations.

West Yorkshire Police revealed, in response to a Freedom of Information request by he Telegraph & Argus, that 22 such crimes had been recorded in a four-year period to the end of April this year.

The highest value theft was of £27,000. It was stolen by 29-year-old Arfan Younis after West Yorkshire Police wrongly paid it into his bank account.

Younis, of Leeds Old Road, Thornbury, was sentenced to a community order at Bradford Crown Court in January last year.

The court heard he had been paid £800 by the force after his door was put through by mistake during a search warrant. But police then paid £27,000 into his account, which was not meant for him. Younis spent the money at the casino within days.

Sentencing him, Judge Roger Thomas QC, the Recorder of Bradford, described it as a “cock up” and a mess, and said it was “an embarrassing episode for the police authority”.

The prosecution told the court they had instructions from the police to accept a nominal £1 from Younis under the Proceeds of Crime Act, though police said inquiries were continuing to see if any money could be recovered.

Other items stolen from police included a PCSO’s hat, a police operational cap stolen from an officer, CS spray from an officer, and a kitbag containing a police helmet, fleece, and stab vest cover, taken from a police vehicle in Bradford city centre.

A vehicle, belonging to West Yorkshire Police, was stolen from premises in Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford.

The force pointed out that it operates a ‘capture’ scheme, where assets such as cars, bikes, vans, lorries and items in ‘capture’ houses - designed to capture thieves and burglars - are used on a regular basis and would be included in the theft records.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police ensures that their employees take seriously the need to care for, and safeguard, all items of police property.

“Such items are purchased out of public funds and must be looked after properly.

“Unfortunately, there will be occasions where items can be stolen whilst officers are dealing with more pressing matters.

“All thefts are investigated in the same manner as with thefts from the general public.”

Nick Smart, West Yorkshire chairman of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said it was disappointing that people at times took advantage when officers were dealing with emergencies.

He said: “It is particularly galling that when officers are trying to do their best for the public, certain individuals will steal from them.”