RISING crime over the past six months is causing concern for

residents of Horsforth, Otley and Aireborough.

People are concerned about Weetwood Police crime figures for April to September, which were released this week.

The figures show many major crimes - including house

burglaries, car break-ins and car thefts - have risen in many areas compared to the same period last year.

Although police say the six-monthly figures do not give an

accurate picture of crime levels, which they say have since fallen overall, some say it is alarming to see how much criminal activity there is in the area,

One resident at Monday's meeting of Aireborough, Horsforth and Otley Police Community Forum, said anyone planning to move to Horsforth could be put off if they looked at the crime figures.

The Horsforth beat, which includes a small part of Cookridge, has suffered 53 more burglaries, 34 more car break-ins, and 104 more car thefts than in the April to September period last year.

There was a small increase in robberies in the Bramhope, Pool and Arthington beat, Yeadon and Rawdon area, and Horsforth.

But Chief Inspector Nick Bartrum, of Weetwood Police told the meeting at Benton Park School, Rawdon, that the figures - which may even out in the second half of the financial year - should not cause undue concern.

He said: "Crime is starting to slow down. These figures do not show the true picture, as crime has started to drop over the last three months."

He said the detection rate for burglary was 25 per cent, and the police have a high arrest rate.

There was also a fall in violent crime in Yeadon, Rawdon and Horsforth. Chief Insp Nick Bartrum said many of these crimes were domestic violence incidents, which police are now

targeting.

Chief Insp Bartrum said the police are now aiming to target those responsible for strings of offences.

l Crimefile, see page 7.