West Yorkshire figures show decrease (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

West Yorkshire figures show decrease

4:50pm Thursday 16th July 2009 in

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Crime in West Yorkshire has fallen, the latest annual figures reveal.

But burglaries are rising, the statistics show.

National statistics, released by the Home Office, show that overall crime in West Yorkshire was down by five per cent. Offences of violence against the person and fraud and forgery both fell by 11 per cent.

The only crime categories in the county to show an increase were burglary (six per cent), and drug offences (nine per cent). Robbery, sexual offences, criminal damage and vehicle crime all showed a decrease.

West Yorkshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable David Crompton said the reductions were particularly pleasing because it meant the chances of being a victim were lessening.

He said that while the number of burglaries had risen the figure was still half of what it was a decade ago.

“We are putting a sustained effort into tackling burglary, which we identified some months ago as a trend,” Mr Crompton said.

“The economic climate may be a factor in these increases and we are working to combat the effect.”

Superintendent Dickie Whitehead, of Bradford South Police, said the figures in the division reflected those of West Yorkshire, with overall crime down.

Supt Whitehead said: “All serious crimes, such as murder, gun crime, knife crime and assaults, have seen a considerable drop, as have those crimes which affect people’s quality of life.

“Serious crimes that happen in Bradford tend not to be random or indiscriminate, but targeted attacks, and are often linked to disputes between people.”

Mr Crompton said people were becoming more confident in their police at a local level.

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman, said he welcomed the overall trend in crime reduction, but recognised the concern around burglary figures.

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