CRIME in the region has risen by eight per cent in the past year, latest figures reveal.

The data, from the Office for National Statistics, indicates a surge in the number of reports of stalking and harassment in the year to June 2019 – up a massive 56 per cent across West Yorkshire.

Other large increases were in violence against the person and public order offences, both up by 23 per cent; possession of weapons offences, 22 per cent; robbery, 21 per cent, and drug offences, 20 per cent.

The figures also indicate a fall of 13 per cent in bicycle theft reports, as well as a drop in burglaries, shoplifting, theft, criminal damage and arson.

Recorded crimes across West Yorkshire totalled 296,160.

But despite the rise, the increase was the lowest for four years – after a high of 24 per cent in 2016.

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “While we do not want to see any increased risk of being a victim of crime in West Yorkshire, I am pleased that we appear to be seeing a fall in recorded incidents of theft, burglary, criminal damage and arson.

“I regularly meet with the Chief Constable to explore further measures which can be considered and put in place to both prevent and address the issues emerging from crime patterns and trends. The data shows rises in violence against the person, and although some of that could be down to improved recording, it is a situation we are closely monitoring.”