OTLEY'S MP has been assured that action is being taken to tackle a crime 'spike'.

A recent rise in vehicle crime and vandalism, in particular, led to ward councillors raising the matter with West Yorkshire Police.

The incidents included the tyres of multiple vehicles in the Billams Hill and Weston Lane area being punctured and thefts from a number of cars at Garnett Wharfe and on Cross Green.

Now MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) has brought the problem to the attention of the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, Mark Burns-Williamson.

Mr Burns-Williamson said residents should be assured that extra police resources were being used to improve security in the town, especially at night.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: "I am pleased with the reaction of the local police to the spike in reported crime, particularly vehicle crime, in Otley.

"I understand from West Yorkshire Police that overtime has been authorised for PCSOs to ensure that Otley is covered after midnight.

"We can do this thanks to our work with Councillor Judith Blake and Leeds City Council, last year, to secure PCSO numbers city wide.

"PCSOs can now be deployed wherever they are needed - including when an area like Otley, which generally has very low rates of crime, needs some extra support.

"We’ve managed to do this despite the savage cuts to the police but also to local councils since 2010, making it harder for the police to keep low-level crime under control."

Mr Sobel said: "The quick reaction by the police and the deployment of PCSOs to the area after midnight is reassuring.

"As soon as they were aware of the spike in crime, our police force took action to respond to Otley’s needs.

"This just underlines the importance of reporting all crime, however small, to the police.

"But it’s obvious that the cuts to police funding, starting under the Lib Dem and Conservative Coalition government, have had far-reaching effects.

"I hope that the government will listen to local communities and give the police and councils the resources they need."

Residents, meanwhile, are being urged to report any crimes to the police.