Although annual crime statistics compiled since Bradford's riots show offending up almost ten per cent, the longer-term picture appears far more promising. In the four years up to March 2001 - three months before violence devastated the city - offending actually fell throughout the district while it rose across the rest of the country. Crime reporter Drew Kendell takes a closer look at the figures.

Today sees the release of new figures which might surprise many Bradfordians. They show that, over the last four years, crime has fallen in the district while the rest of the county suffered a sizeable increase.

For the members of the Bradford and District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, the findings will come as no such shock.

The members that make up that team have been working hard behind the scenes for years to try to cut back on crime and help foster a feeling of safety among the community - and today an audit of the group's work begins to show they are making progress.

Headed by the police and Bradford Council, the group includes the probation, health and fire services, college and university representatives, voluntary workers, community groups and local businesses. Drawing on their own experience and expertise, the members regularly come together to draw up plans for combating crime within the district.

Today's figures represent a four-year audit of their work, examining how crime levels have risen or fallen.

The Telegraph & Argus previously reported how the last set of annual crime figures - compiled by West Yorkshire Police - showed an overall leap of almost ten per cent.

But for Bradford's most senior police officer that was a 'blip' thrown up by the city's riots and the aftermath which left his resources desperately drained. After declaring that police numbers had been finally brought back up to strength, he stressed it was time to get crime-fighting back on course and the figures back on a downwards spiral.

And there are some grounds for optimism. Covering the four years up to March 2001, the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership's audit shows that crime has fallen in the district by 1.3 per cent - while across West Yorkshire it rose by 6.7 per cent and the national rate soared by 13.8 per cent.

Councillor Margaret Eaton, leader of Bradford Council, said: "It is clear from these report findings that this hard work and determination is beginning to pay off and I would like to applaud the efforts of all involved."

She highlighted how domestic burglaries had plummeted by more than 33 per cent and vehicle crime by almost nine per cent. "While we are delighted with these positive findings, we will not be complacent and will continue to fight to address crime and disorder within our district," said Coun Eaton. But she called on the Government to provide more police on the city's streets to help cut cases of robbery, domestic violence and drugs-related offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Greg Wilkinson, Bradford's most senior officer, said the success reflected the hard work over recent years, but added: "However, crime has been increasing and the serious disorder last July has meant we have had to focus a lot of our efforts on maintaining order and diverting officers to investigate and bring to justice those responsible."

He added: "The strategy being devised for the next three years is aimed at getting crime back on a downward trend and will encourage all parts of the community to take responsibility and work with us."