WEST Yorkshire police chiefs say the force's latest crime figures show a great success in the battle against criminals.

They show less crime is being reported than 10 years ago.

Police authority chairman Mark Burns- Williamson said:

"The performance of the force in the last 18 months has been outstanding.

"These long-term trend figures reinforce that.

"Burglary and vehicle crime were the ones of greatest public concern for many years.

"The force is now on top of them, but we are investing in the force to achieve even more reductions.

"A 10-year low is all the more remarkable because of the changes in crime recording rules in 1998 and 2001.

"These resulted in many minor incidents being included in the crime total," added Mr Burns-Williamson.

Total crimes have dropped by 40,000, from 280,000 in 1995.

There were 20,000 burglaries in the last 12 months, under half the number recorded 10 years ago.

Deputy Chief Constable Phill Brear said the figures were even more impressive and remarkable because of the extra crimes that police now had to record, such as juvenile nuisance and disorder.