FEWER gonorrhoea and syphilis cases were diagnosed in Bradford last year, new figures show - despite a national rise.

Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show there were 544 gonorrhoea diagnoses and 46 syphilis diagnoses in Bradford in 2023.

They were down from 689 and 50 respectively the year before.

Nationally, recorded cases of syphilis were at the highest level since 1948, while gonorrhoea reached the highest number since records began in 1918.

In total, there were 2,696 STI diagnoses last year in Bradford - down from 2,827 the year before.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "The best way to reduce your risk of an infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners."

He added: "The NHS provides free, confidential STI testing to detect any potential infections and prevent you passing them on to others."