The Crime rate in Keighley is falling dramatically -- with robberies down by almost a half.

The statistics showing the drop on last year's figures were revealed in a Strategic Intelligence Assessment at a police quarterly planning meeting.

Supt Mark Whyman said there have been 214 less victims this year and overall crime is down by 7.2 per cent.

Chief Supt Graham Sunderland,(pictured) who has recently returned as Keighley divisional commander said: "Policing isn't the responsibility of the police alone. It's about what we can all do together to tackle the problem.

"It's already starting to work. Crime is falling. But the most dangerous time is now, when we think we're winning."

According to the assessment, robbery is down by 41 per cent. Guard House, the previous hot spot, has had no reported robberies this month. The new hot spot is Knowle Park.

Burglary is down by 38 per cent. Twenty-five per cent of house burglaries are sneak-ins and almost half are offences, where the burglar lifts keys from the house to steal the car.

Vehicle crime is down by 14 per cent. The figures show VWs -- especially Golfs -- Land Rovers, Audis and Mitsubishis are prime targets for theft.

Hot spots for theft and taking without the owner's consent are Braithwaite and Highfield.

Theft from vehicles is a regular occurrence in Haworth car parks -- Penistone Hill being the main target.

The anti-social behaviour hot spot is Knowle Park. There has been an increase in firearm crime in the area over the last five years.

Supt Whyman stressed it was not an increase in armed robberies, but drug dealers arming themselves against their dealer rivals.

Det Chief Insp Terry Long, who has succeeded Det Chief Insp Roger Gasson at Keighley station, said: "This fall in crime is something I want to continue looking at. I have a personal interest in Keighley. I have lived here most of my life and I have family here. So I hope to make a difference."

Cllr Graham Mitchell, chairman of the town council's watch committee, said: "It is absolutely excellent news to see that every single category of crime has been reduced.

"This highlights the credible gap between people's fears and perception of crime and what is actually happening.

"The police in Keighley division are obviously doing a great job."