More than 700 violent thugs were let off by “soft” policing in West Yorkshire last year – and allowed to simply say sorry, or offer compensation, to their victims.

Labour attacked the growing use of ‘community resolutions’ for violent offences, calling for criminals to be prosecuted, or cautioned, instead. The party said the measure was intended to be used only for “minor assaults (without injury)”, as well as for anti-social behaviour and other low-level crime.

Yet more than 10,000 crimes involving serious violence ended in a ‘community resolution’ in 2012 across England and Wales – including 717 in West Yorkshire.

In total, the force resolved no fewer than 1,934 violent offences informally, by an apology, an offer of compensation or an agreement to clear up any damage.

Many were cases of ‘assault without injury’ (915), followed by ‘public fear/alarm/distress’ (174) – but there were also large numbers of ‘racially aggravated offences’ (104).

In addition, six offences involved a ‘blade/sharp point’ – and 12 a different weapon – despite David Cameron’s high-profile pledge to jail anyone caught carrying a knife.

And the number of cases of serious violence ending in a “community resolution” – and no criminal record – in West Yorkshire is sharply on the rise.

Only six were applied in 2009, rising to 456 in 2010, to 572 in 2011 – and to 717 last year.

Yvette Cooper, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, who dug out the figures, linked the increase to sharp cuts to officer numbers, saying: “These figures are extremely serious. Offenders who admit to serious and violent crimes – including knife crime, domestic violence, and serious assault – are increasingly being let off with no criminal record, no justice, and not even a caution.

“That’s bad for justice, bad for victims, and goes against all the evidence. The Home Secretary needs to grip this urgently.”

Community Resolutions were introduced, by Labour, to avoid people receiving criminal records for “one stupid mistake” and to free up officers to fight serious crime.

Forces complained that officers were spending hours at the station, filling in forms, after arresting someone for spraying graffiti, or stealing sweets.

But, across the country, the number of resolutions used for cases of serious violence has almost doubled from 5,173 in 2009, to 10,160 last year.

The Home Office said it was a matter for individual forces, adding: “Through crime maps and police and crime commissioners, the public now have the means to hold them to account.”