THE number of arrests for theft in West Yorkshire has fallen by nearly a third in the last five years, new statistics show.

Home Office figures reveal 5,443 arrests were made for a theft offence by West Yorkshire Police in the 12 months to March.

This was down from 7,779 in 2017-18, meaning the number of theft arrests has fallen by 30 per cent in the last five years.

There was a 23 per cent decrease in the number of offences logged during that time, from 103,042 to 79,544.

Just 4.4 per cent of offences with a recorded outcome resulting in a charge or summons nationally in the year to March.

In West Yorkshire, 6.8 per cent led to a charge or summons.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Since 2010, our communities are safer, with theft offences down by 47 per cent and robbery down by 81 per cent.

"We have also delivered more police officers in England and Wales than ever before and the police have committed to attend all home burglaries and pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to ensure more crimes are solved and public confidence is improved."