CASH from inflation-busting rises in council tax has helped to cut West Yorkshire's crime figures.

County police authority chairman Clr Mark Burns- Williamson said the extra money had undoubtedly made a contribution.

He spoke at his authority's annual meeting as latest crime figures were unveiled.

The authority came under fire last year after a 17% jump in its levies from council tax.

Robbery is down 24%, burglary by 17% and car crime by 13%.

Clr Burns-Williamson said: "I'd like to pay tribute to all those individual police officers and staff who have worked so hard to achieve this.

"However, there is no doubt some of this performance can be attributed to the additional resources the authority raised for policing through council tax."

The meeting heard that in March police strength matched the record level of 5,290, reached in 1991.

Today's officers are supported by more than 3,000 staff, many of whom perform operational roles.

Clr Burns-Williamson added: "The gap between the amount spent on policing and, therefore, the number of officers, in West Yorkshire compared with other metropolitan areas had widened to an unacceptable degree.

"If we wanted the public of West Yorkshire to enjoy policing of as high a standard as elsewhere, we had to act to make sure sufficient money was going in."

Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn said that in terms of performance, West Yorkshire was now one of the most improved forces in the country.

He said the force's work with other criminal justice agencies was also reaping rewards, with West Yorkshire beating its target of bringing 5% more offenders to justice.