OVERALL crime in West Yorkshire has risen by 12 per cent, figures released today have revealed. 

The data, from the Office for National Statistics, also shows an increase on the previous year in areas including sexual offences, robbery, violent crimes, stalking and harassment, plus death or serious injury caused by unlawful driving. 

The number of murders in that period rose from 24 to 29, while the number of people killed or injured through unlawful driving stood at 39 in 2017 and 51 in 2018. 

Stalking and harassment saw a huge rise of 62 per cent, robbery rose by 32 per cent, violence against the person rose by 32 per cent, while sexual offences rose by 11 per cent.

Drug offences rose by 17 per cent, possession of an offensive weapon rose by 32 per cent and public order offences also rose by 32 per cent. 

West Yorkshire Police says the increase in some crime categories is partly due to better recording and an increased willingness among victims to come forward.

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Speaking about the figures, West Yorkshire Police Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Russ Foster said: “West Yorkshire Police has invested significant time and effort to improve our crime recording practice and I am confident that we are doing very well in this area, so current figures are probably the most accurate they have ever been. Inevitably, that has inflated the numbers in some areas.

“But it is also important to understand that two thirds of violent offences result in no physical injury to anyone, for example harassment now falls into the violent crime category.

“Nevertheless, despite a recently publicised national survey which showed violent crime had fallen consistently for some years, I understand public concerns, which are often heightened by tragic, high profile incidents across the country.

“Our officers understand the impact of violent crime all too well, as they often bear the brunt of assaults from suspects and even sometimes from those they are trying to help.

“I really welcome the additional Government funding we are receiving to help us tackle the issue of serious violence and in particular knife crime. We are committed to working with our partners to develop a sustainable long term approach.

He added: “West Yorkshire Police is exploring a series of measures to tackle knife crime, from enforcement as part of the national Operation Sceptre and targeted patrols in key hotspot areas, to diversionary activity such as the potential creation of youth zones, working with partners to give young people somewhere to go and something to do.

The force welcomes an almost 10 per cent drop in theft from vehicles, plus smaller reductions in burglary, wider theft offences, criminal damage and arson. 

Mr Foster said: “I am really pleased to see 1,500 fewer victims of theft from vehicle and more than 750 fewer burglary victims. It is a trend I hope we can build on going forward."