CRIME is down by more than three per cent across West Yorkshire, new figures have revealed.

Latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there were 9,701 fewer offences across the county in the 12 months up to the end of December 2023 when compared with the same period the previous year.

Data recorded by West Yorkshire Police also shows the downward trend is continuing with large reductions recorded in every district.

Reductions are recorded in key crime areas such as arson and criminal damage, violence with injury and possession of weapons.

Both robbery and shoplifting have seen an increase in line with the national trend.

West Yorkshire Police say the former is starting to reduce with the latest three months being lower than the same quarter last year.

They also add that shoplifting has "slowed" with the number of offences in the last three months being the same as during the same quarter last year.

Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL said: “These latest figures show crime is falling across the county and our very latest data shows this trend is continuing thanks to our officers, staff and volunteers who continue to work hard with partners to keep our communities safe.

“We continue to focus on the most vulnerable in our communities, safeguarding victims and responding to the challenge of increasing and more complex investigations related to child sexual exploitation and abuse, missing people, domestic abuse and mental health occurrences."