Heroin is still the major crime problem in Bradford, according to a massive survey published today.

The Crime and Disorder Audit shows that heroin addiction has risen by 300 per cent in the city over the past four years and that one fifth of crimes are drug related.

But the report, which gives the clearest picture ever of crime in the area, also shows that recorded crime has fallen although people believe there is more crime than is actually reported.

The 80-page audit was prepared by West Yorkshire police and Bradford Council, and council leader Ian Greenwood said: "The statistics relating to Drugs and the crimes they lead to are of deep concern.

"Drugs devastate the quality of life for those who are addicted to them, but also have a knock-on effect on the lives of everyone in the whole community."

The audit followed detailed consultation with more than 200 organisations, community groups and individuals, and will be used to help form policies to make Bradford a safer place to live.

But it highlights the continuing grip of heroin over addicts in the district, showing that out of 1,346 people who sought help for problems relating to drugs in 1996/7, 85 per cent were hooked on heroin.

The Leeds Addiction Unit had 300 newly registered heroin users from Bradford in 1992/3 - but that figure rocketed to nearly 1,400 in 1996/7.

And it is estimated that five out of every 1,000 15-year-old boys in Bradford are problematic drug users.

But the audit also found that people believe there is more crime than there actually is. Recorded crime has fallen by 16.6 per cent during the last three years, with house burglaries dropping by 40.5 per cent from more than 16,000 to about 9,600 a year.

Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "The great thing about this audit is that the widest cross-section of community groups and private, public and voluntary bodies is behind it and it has not sought to sweep anything under the carpet.

"It will accurately inform every policy and every course of action in the battle to create a safer district. It spells out the challenge facing all the partners in the district in the clearest possible terms - and that spells bad news for criminals."

The audit forms part of the new Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which requires all local authorities and the police to work with other partners to form Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships aimed at cutting criminal and anti-social behaviour in their areas.

West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Smith welcomed the audit and said it reflects the public's concern about all types of issues.

He said: "Although crimes like house burglaries have actually fallen, public perception does not reflect these encouraging long-term trends and the audit shows that overcoming a disproportionate fear of crime in the public mind is a very important job."

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