CRIMINALS across West Yorkshire are being made to suffer by people fed up with their offences.

The number of calls to Crimestoppers in the county has risen by two-thirds over the last year, leading to a massive increase in arrests.

These figures beat the national statistics hands down.

Police say the big improvement is down to people phoning up with top- quality information and the county's media being eager to help Crime- stoppers in every way possible.

Det Sgt Ian Froggett, of the Wakefield-based Crimestoppers office, said: "From the feedback we received from officers, information given to them via Crimestoppers led to 386 arrests last year - 83% up on the 2002 figure of 210.

"Last year, we dealt with 5,068 pieces of information, compared to 3,030 in 2002 - a rise of 67%."

On top of this, Crimestoppers calls led to police seizing stolen property worth £500,000 - quadrupling the 2002 figure - and drugs with a street value of £200,000.

Nationally, calls to Crimestoppers were up by a quarter last year, with the number of arrests linked to calls up 22%.

Det Sgt Froggett added: "The figures for West Yorkshire are fantastic. We believe they are due to some very positive Press coverage and detailed information from people.

"They have given us specific names and information on where and when criminals are operating and the numbers of cars they use.

"We have also started some exceptionally successful high-profile campaigns. One of them has been the Dob In A Dealer scheme, which has led to some excellent arrests for drugs offences," he said.

"This has also spurred people phoning us up about drugs offences to tell us about other crimes.

"The team at Crimestoppers is very keen to make every piece of information count. We pass them on to police officers who can investigate it thoroughly."

Det Sgt Froggett added: "Criminals across West Yorkshire should take note of these figures. They show that people are watching them and taking note of what they are doing.

"They must also be aware that when people pass on good-quality information to Crimestoppers it often leads to arrests and convictions."

People phoning Crimestoppers give information free and anonymously.

Calls cannot be traced and people can claim a cash reward.

Phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.