New police statistics for Wharfedale, Shipley and Bingley, show dramatic drops in overall crime and increased public confidence in the battle against anti-social behaviour.

But some types of crime such as house burglary and theft from cars have increased significantly, according to results from Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

A report by new NPT boss Inspector Hugh Robinson contains figures for the 12 months until the end of September.

Wharfedale and Craven NPT area also showed a substantial drop as the total crime figure over the same time fell from 303 to 271 incidents.

“Burglary of garages and sheds is the most prevalent crime type with the Wharfedale ward,” Insp Robinson noted. High value bikes and gardening equipment remained the thieves favourite targets in that policing area.

Wharfedale is the most peaceful place to live, according to police research.

“Perception of anti-social behaviour in the Wharfedale and Craven NPT area is the lowest in the Bradford District and one the lowest in West Yorkshire,” Insp Robinson stated.

“The current level shows three per cent of people perceive ASB to be a problem in August 2013 compared to 3.6 per cent in August 2012.”

Giving details of work by Bingley and Worth NPT, Insp Robinson revealed that over that period total recorded crime was down to 1,821 from 3,034 during the previous year.

“While overall crime has reduced in Bingley there have been some increases in specific crime types,” he stated.

“Burglary from dwellings and theft from motor vehicles have seen increases in the past 12 months.”

Insp Robinson said NPT officers were working to reverse that trend and were using a new technique.

“The division has recently introduced ‘super cocooning’ following all burglaries of dwelling offences.

“This entails officers visiting 40 surrounding houses to the victim’s address – the officers seek further intelligence and identify witnesses and offer crime reduction advice and re-assurance,” he said In Shipley it was theft from vehicles which showed an increase, with 299 crimes so far this year – an increase of 100 on the same period last year.

House burglary also rose in Shipley from 169 to 181 over that same timescale.

But Shipley has seen a fall in the perception of anti-social behaviour, as has Bingley and Worth.

Chief Inspector Damien Miller, who leads neighbourhood policing for the Bradford District, said: “It is pleasing to note that our neighbourhood policing teams have delivered better results than last year in some areas, and even more so when you consider this has been against a backdrop of cuts to the police service.

“However, these results also show there is room for improvement and we will continue to work with our partners and the local communities to make them safe and feel safer.”