Drugs crime on the rise in West Yorkshire as police figures show drop in overall crime reports

Office of National Statistics (ONS) data released today shows there were 8,386 drugs offences recorded by West Yorkshire Police between June 2019-June 2020, an increase of 22 per cent from the previous 12 months.

Overall crime in the county has dropped by 6.9 per cent during this period, with significantly fewer reports of robberies, house burglaries and violent crimes.

Reports of robbery were down 22.9 per cent, with 894 fewer reported victims, while violence resulting in injury was down by 10.4 per cent with 2,959 fewer victims.

House burglary reports were down by 22.6 per cent while reported vehicle crimes were down by 15.8 per cent.

There was an increase in stalking and harassment reports in the county, public order offences and death or serious injury caused by illegal driving.

But the force estimates there were around 20,200 fewer victims of crime in West Yorkshire compared to the previous year.

Chief Constable John Robins QPM said: “This news is really heartening and testament to the hard work and dedication of all our officers, staff and volunteers as well as our partners.

“West Yorkshire Police has worked really hard in recent years to ensure that crime is recorded accurately and appropriately so that we can properly understand the demands we face enabling us to deploy and prioritise our resources to ensure the maximum possible impact.

“Never has that been more crucial when you consider the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic continuing to impact on us all.”

The number of people caught with violent weapons in West Yorkshire dropped by 9.8 per cent in the 12 months to June 2020, while reports of knife crime were down by 13 per cent.

Mr Robins praised the work of Operation Jemlock, a force-wide operation to reduce serious violent crime.

There have been 3,706 arrests made and 422 weapons seized since Operation Jemlock was launched in April 2019.

Mr Robins added: “We continue to ensure that our response to crime is focused upon victims, witnesses and the most vulnerable people in our communities.

"I can reassure our local communities we will continue to do all we can to keep them safe and feeling safer.”

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