The number of serious assaults on people across Bradford has fallen in a year, new police figures show.

Statistics released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal reports of actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH) across the Bradford South and Airedale and North Bradford areas fell by five per cent, from 2,531 in 2011-12 to 2,390 in 2012-13.

West Yorkshire Police figures show there were 121 reports of GBH in the Bradford South division between April 1 2012 and March 31 2013, compared with 139 in the same period the previous year.

In Airedale and North Bradford, the number fell from 105 to 67 – a reduction of 36 per cent.

There were 1,283 reports of ABH in the Bradford South area in 2011-12, which fell slightly to 1,274 in 2012-13, where the figure for Airedale and North Bradford was slashed from 1,004 to 928.

Across the whole of the West Yorkshire Police area there was a 12 per cent reduction in GBH reports and a ten per cent cut in ABH.

However, the number of arrests that led to charges fell from 1,213 in 2011-12 to 1,019 in 2012-13.

Chief Inspector Sarah Baker, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We welcome the reduction in assault occasioning actual and griveous bodily harm offences that has been seen in Bradford from 2011 to 2013.

“However, we are not complacent and will continue to work with partner agencies and key stakeholders such as local councils, the NHS and licensees to put measures in place to tackle this kind of offending.

“The force runs a number of campaigns aimed at raising awareness of issues such as domestic violence, particularly when there has traditionally been an increase in this kind of offence such as over the festive season and during major sport events.”