BURGLARIES in Yorkshire have almost halved in the last seven years, figures have revealed.
The region experienced almost 66,000 fewer break-ins in 2008/09 than it did in 2002/03 with recorded burglaries dropping from 142,885 to 77,260.
The decrease is the largest in England and Wales and the second best percentage drop (46%) after the North East region (48%).
In Kirklees burglary dropped by just over a third in line with the national average of 35%.
Total burglaries in 08/09 were recorded at 6,445, down from 10,114 in 02/03.
In Calderdale, burglary was cut by more than half over the seven year period with just 2,876 break-ins recorded last year.
The Barnsley region achieved the greatest reduction in burglaries with a 61% drop to just 2,089 last year.
The analysis of crime statistics for 375 Local Authorities by Yorkshire Bank Home Insurance shows that Barnsley has been one of the most successful at reducing burglary numbers in England and Wales.
Barnsley’s rate of burglaries is now 9.3 per 1,000 population, below the average of 9.6 for England and Wales.
Kirklees’ rate of burglaries per 1,000 people in 08/09 was 16.07, a 38% decrease from 26.01 per 1,000 of the population in 02/03.
