A BURLEY-in-Wharfedale resident has been given the dubious distinction of being the first victim of crime in the Keighley police division in 2004.

Amanda Miller was having dinner at her home with friends on New Year's Eve when the conversation was interrupted by an almighty crash at around 11.50pm.

"We thought it was cars colliding but when I looked someone had thrown a massive amount of snow through the front bay window," said Miss Miller.

She looked outside and although there were footsteps in the newly fallen snow, there was nobody to be seen in the vicinity of her house in Grangefield Avenue.

When Miss Miller called the police and reported the crime the clock had struck midnight and the officer on duty told her it was the first reported crime of the new year.

Miss Miller was able to effect a temporary repair to the window and had to wait until the end of the holiday to get the bay window replaced.

She said that the size of the snowball thrown through the window was the same as a dustbin lid.

Not only did it smash the window it also damaged a chair nearby.

"If anyone had been sitting in it, it could have caused a lot of harm. It was quite frightening really," said Miss Miller.

A police spokesman confirmed that the act of criminal damage was the first recorded crime of 2004 and said that officers were still investigating.

In order to help track down the culprit, Miss Miller is offering a £100 reward to anyone providing the information to solve the crime.

Anyone with information should telephone the help desk at Keighley police station on 01535 617059.