AN MP has described a 21 per cent rise in crime in his constituency as a "massive concern."

A new police report reveals that the Shipley constituency has suffered a jump of 690 crimes, with a total of 4,045 committed between April and December 13 last year compared to 3,355 during the same period in 2014.

And cases of violent assault have leapt by 128 during that time span, up from 180 to 308.

In a report by Shipley Inspector Hugh Robinson to Shipley Area Committee, he writes: "One of the biggest increases is to assaults with injury.

"This is in main due to more accountable recording of domestic incidents.

"Likewise criminal damage and shoplifting offences have had high increases on the back of low figures last year."

Incidents of criminal damage have risen by 144 from 417 to 561 cases and shoplifting was up by 99 from 251 to 350.

House break-ins were up by nine, however burglary to other premises which include commercial properties, garages and sheds have decreased by 113 as have theft from vehicles, down by 47.

Baildon ward recorded a total of 496 crimes for the year to date, 65 more than this time last year.

Bingley recorded 744 crimes, two less than last year's figure, but Bingley Rural, which includes Wilsden and Harden, was up by 108 from 542 to 650.

Shipley was up 330 from 783 to 1,113 with a jump in shoplifting of 62 from 109 to 171.

Windhill and Wrose saw a rise of 211 from 639 to 850, but Wharfedale saw an overall drop of one crime.

Inspector Robinson, who is soon to be replaced by Inspector Julie Deacon, said Neighbourhood Policing will remain the cornerstone of policing in Shipley.

"I have enjoyed my time at Shipley and overseen some big changes, the last of those is a shift pattern change in February that will give us five teams all with dedicated supervision rather than the previous eight team system. I feel this is a major step forward and will improve our performance," he stated.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said while accepting crimes were being recorded differently: "There is a worrying increase especially in the Wilsden and Harden areas - which is a massive concern."

Mr Davies, who has always voted against police budget cuts, said he recognised there were difficulties due to budget constraints.

"But unfortunately one of the key factors is who happen to be in and out of prison and crime waves often coincide with which hardened criminals have just been released."

Mr Davies said those awaiting court cases also carried out crime sprees as minor offences would be discounted when it came to any sentencing.

"Sadly the criminal justice system is a shambles," he said.

Shipley Area Committee chairman David Heseltine said ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, January 27, that he also considered more people should be locked up for longer.

"And another factor with shoplifting may be that they are cracking down on such types in Bradford city centre and these people will not be stopping the habits of a lifetime, they will simply go elsewhere - out into the districts."