POLICE recorded more robbery and theft offences in West Yorkshire in the space of a year, according to latest figures.

Home Office data shows 3,209 robbery crimes were recorded by West Yorkshire Police in the 12 months to June - up from 3,148 in the previous year.

At the same time, theft offences increased from 79,907 to 81,039.

The number of robberies and thefts recorded by police forces across England and Wales rose by six per cent and three per cent respectively.

Robbery is a separate offence to theft as it involves force or the threat of force.

The Office for National Statistics said the rise in theft was predominantly the result of increases in shoplifting offences and 'theft from the person' crimes.

In West Yorkshire, 22,495 shoplifting offences were recorded in the last year - a 14 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

However, 'theft from the person' crimes fell 11 per cent in the area, with 2,995 incidents logged in 2023-24.

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins said: "Some of the most serious offending, such as violence resulting in injury, has seen large reductions which is down to our continued efforts, working with our partners, to both prevent and detect these type of crimes. 
  
"While we may have seen some successes, we will continue to focus all our efforts against those intent on doing harm in our communities."

He praised officers, staff and volunteers for "making a difference".

Graham Wynn, British Retail Consortium assistant director of regulatory affairs, said the Home Office figures "reflect the scale of the issue which retailers face on a day-to-day basis".

He added: "Shoplifting remains at its highest level in 20 years and cost retailers £1.8 billion last year. 

"The thieves committing these crimes are becoming bolder, more aggressive and are more frequently armed with weapons.

"The Government must ensure the standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker passes into law as soon as possible to protect all retail workers and to send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated."

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said the latest Home Office data showed the "scale of the challenge we have inherited in our mission to make streets safer".

She added: "This Government will restore neighbourhood policing across the country, put thousands more dedicated officers out on our streets and scrap the £200 shoplifting threshold, bringing an end to the effective impunity for thieves who steal low value goods."