BURGLARS looking for easy pickings in Huddersfield have had a tough time over Christmas.

Burglaries have more than halved with 143 in December compared to 293 in December 2002. The figure in 1993 was 461.

Huddersfield police commander Chief Supt John Holt said: "This is great news for local people.

"We wanted to ensure that everyone had a peaceful Christmas, free from the fear of burglary, which we have done.

"We are keeping the pressure on. The boot must be on the other foot and criminals should not feel safe on our streets."

The December figures follow a month-on-month reduction in house burglaries in the latter part of last year.

During the last four months from September through to December, fewer burglaries were recorded in the division than at any stage since computer recording began.

Chief Supt Holt added: "Burglary is a priority crime and we have been putting a lot of hard work into cracking down on those who cause misery for others. There is now a significant number of persistent offenders serving custodial sentences for offences of this nature.

"The continued success in tackling burglary has been achieved through a combination of proactive policing and targeting of known offenders with the support of the local community and also initiatives where we have worked alongside the Kirklees Community Safety Partnership."

The partnership includes the police, Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Probation Service, the National Health Service and the private and voluntary sectors.

He said the partnership had focused on improving home security and making life more difficult for would-be burglars. It had also worked on a successful project to reduce the number of sneak-in burglaries.

Chief Supt Holt added: "Those who commit this sort of crime must not be tolerated under any circumstances."

And he urged people to tell the police who they suspected of committing burglaries or trying to sell goods which could have been stolen.

Call Huddersfield police helpdesk on 01484 436659 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.