Drunken louts are causing an increase in violent crimes committed in Keighley, according to latest police figures.

Fights breaking out after last orders in the town centre have contributed to an 11 per cent increase in the number of violent crimes compared to the same time last year.

Keighley Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Derek Bonnard says police are already taking measures to address the concerns.

Speaking at Airedale Police Community Forum, Mr Bonnard said that although there had been a rise in violent offences, every other category of crime had shown a decline.

He said: "Compared to the same five month period between April and August last year, we have seen 50 more offences committed this year.

"They have tended to be a specific type of violent crime in the town centre and tend to be linked to young males out socialising who have had excessive amounts of drink.

"We've had an action plan in place for the last three months and I'm confident that we've started to turn it around because the number of offences have started to decrease over the last couple of weeks.

"We are working in partnership with licensed premises to tackle the problem and have increased officer patrols where the offences are happening at key times.

"What I want the culture to be is to come out, have a good time, behave reasonably and get home safely, and I'm confident that the trend will change in the near future."

Compared with the same period between April and August last year, house burglaries were down by 10 per cent with 39 less crimes. Commercial burglaries also dropped by 16 per cent with 28 fewer offences.

Vehicle crime, which has been targeted as a major priority by Keighley Division, was reduced by 18 per cent, resulting in 192 fewer victims.

The net result is a 3.6 per cent reduction in the total number of crimes.

Mr Bonnard added: "There are some problems in the Keighley division but on the whole we are bucking the national trend and the reductions we have made must be considered good news."

Recent figures also show officers are answering 93 per cent of emergency calls within 15 minutes, compared to their target of 90 per cent.

Chairman of the community forum Councillor Clive Richardson informed members of the public that he would be stepping down. He will be replaced by Sarah Wilson, who will take over the chair when the forum meets next on Monday, January 22, at Beckfoot Grammar School.