NEW figures have revealed how many crimes have gone unsolved in Bradford.

Analysis of police data taken from the www.police.uk website from October 2016 to September 2017 shows that out of 61,418 recorded crimes, just 5,131 – or 8.3 per cent – resulted in action being taken against an individual.

The corresponding figure across West Yorkshire was 21,306 crimes out of 237,278, or 8.9 per cent. But a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said some cases included in the figures could have since been resolved.

And Chief Superintendent Scott Bisset, Bradford District Commander, said recorded crime statistics for the 12 months to September 2017 showed West Yorkshire Police reported an outcome rate of 13 per cent for the Bradford district and a rate of 13.4 per cent for West Yorkshire.

“Outcomes are measured by cases which were finalised through court, or by means such as a Caution or Community Resolution,” he said.

“In some cases a named suspect will have been identified, but evidential difficulties will prevent further action from being taken.

“There will also be some matters where the victim decides not to proceed with a prosecution.

“Improved crime recording practices and proactive police awareness campaigns have seen increases in some crime types, which are encouraging victims and witnesses to report crimes.

“Some of the crimes now being recorded present investigators with difficulties in reaching a positive outcome, but each will be investigated in accordance with the information that is received with the intention of getting the best possible result for the victims.”

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Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said neighbourhood policing continued to be the “bedrock” of policing in West Yorkshire, but Government cuts had had a “real impact”, resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 officers and staff since 2010 in West Yorkshire.

He said: “I have continued to fight for a fairer funding deal for West Yorkshire over a number of years for policing and community safety across the board, including raising more funds locally through the policing element of the council tax.

“I will continue to analyse these figures closely, engage with our communities and regularly meet with the Chief Constable and our partners to make sure we are doing all we can to keep people safe and feeling safe.”