Crime in West Yorkshire has plummeted, according to the latest police statistics.

West Yorkshire Police said that crime is at a 31-year low, but warned that reduced funding meant that this trend is already being reversed.

There were 1,635 fewer victims of crime in the year to the end of March, compared with the previous year.

Reductions in house and other burglaries were recorded, with 760 fewer victims, and the number of thefts from vehicles is down by 2,743 offences.

Criminal damage and theft are also down, with a 27.4% reduction in thefts from people.

However, this is only part of the picture. Recorded violent crime is up by 5,531 offences - mainly non-injury crimes such as verbal harassment and common assault. Sexual offences are up by 1,353.

This reflects the national trend and is a result of a change in recording practices, which focuses on victims, and records their crime reports as soon as possible. Rates of violent crime in West Yorkshire still remain low compared to other similar-sized areas.

Dee Collins, West Yorkshire Police Temporary Chief Constable, said: “Crime is now back at levels last seen in the early 1980s. This is a tremendous performance when considering the challenging financial climate we have been operating in during recent years.

“Our officers and staff continue to work hard to reduce crime and these results are testament to their efforts.

“However as we move forward with diminishing resources, it is difficult to see how this downward trend can be sustained – in fact, we are already seeing an upturn in some crimes.”