THE number of crime victims tumbled by tens of thousands across West Yorkshire in 2004, say police.
There were 50,000 fewer victims between April and November compared with the same period in 2003.
But the police's website shows that officers still record an average of 892 new crimes in the county each day.
Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn said: "Crimes dropped by 50,248 in total, with over 8,000 fewer victims of house burglary, robbery almost halved and vehicle crime dramatically down.
"This is excellent news to start the year as we mean to go on."
He added: "These results haven't happened by chance.
"They are the result of a clear focus on priority crime, some excellent work by our officers and having the resources to do it all."
Although the force still lags behind other metropolitan forces in terms of officers per head of population, it is catching up.
Mr Cramphorn said: "It's a clear equation. More resources, more feet on the beat mean more police activity.
"If we focus that activity in the right areas - as we have done - we have shown we can impact dramatically on crime."
Clr Mark Burns- Williamson, the chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority, said the figures were a clear indication the public's money had been put to good use.
He added: "If people are paying more for their police they want to know what they are getting for it.
"This year we have been able to recruit more resources - and that has had a direct impact on crime.
"We have also successfully lobbied our MPs over funding. We now have to look to the year ahead and what we need to do to sustain the growth."
