The latest crime figures for Bradford are deeply depressing. The 68 per cent increase in robberies included in an overall crime rise of 17 per cent is particularly shocking, as is the revelation that a mere 17 per cent of crimes were solved in the district.

Statistics like these don't give people confidence in the area in which they live, and confidence is what the people of Bradford badly need if the city is to forge a new future for itself.

The reasons for the rise seem clear enough. Because of major inquiries into shootings and the aftermath of the riots, there are simply not enough officers available to deal with routine crimes. With a reduced chance of being caught, opportunist criminals are having a field day.

It is unfair to lay the blame entirely on West Yorkshire Police. The whole issue of police numbers has been widely debated over the last few years. The force are particularly handicapped now by not getting the money they need from the Government to underwrite last July's Bradford riots. Money is being raised through an increased precept on the council tax, but the consequent recruitment will only result in a net increase of 190 officers in West Yorkshire - hardly enough to make a huge dent in the crime figures.

It is unrealistic to expect that, without a substantially increased investment in policing by the Government, West Yorkshire could enjoy the sort of ratio of officers to population that exists in New York. But that city's experience has demonstrated clearly enough that the more police you have, the less crime there will be.