Police in Haworth are urging people not to become vigilantes in a response to recent crimes in the village.

Angry residents had threatened to take the law into their own hands, claiming vandalism was rising since the village was left without a bobby.

Chief Superintendent Derek Bonnard dismissed the claims: "The perception that crime has risen in Haworth since the removal of the community officer last month is wrong. There were fewer burglaries in April compared with March.

"We would not condone people taking the law into their own hands. We have valuable links with the public through the parish council, neighbourhood watch schemes and the Special Constabulary and we urge the local community to make a positive contribution by supporting and joining these partnerships."

Police figures show that only two houses were broken into in April compared with ten in March, but there were three more vehicle crimes in April than in March.

Police have set up a Haworth Car Crime Forum and Action Team to address rising car crime issues in the village.