Reports of violent crime have shot up in the Spen Valley

Figures for the past three months show 208 assaults were reported, almost double the number in 2004.

Police have identified Cleckheaton town centre and the Foldings estate in Scholes as hotspots.

Sergeant Jon Agar, of the Spen Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said changes to way incidents are logged were responsible for part of the rise.

"A lot of the problems in Cleckheaton have been at pub turning-out time, meaning it is alcohol-fuelled," he said. "But the increase is also down to more awareness in reporting crimes."

The area is now covered by closed-circuit television and a Pubwatch scheme has been set up in a bid to halt crime.

In the same period - from April 1 to June 23 - there were 51 house burglaries, a significant drop from 95 last year.

Four cars were stolen after the keys were taken from the owners' homes.

Sgt Agar said: "The main ways are forcing the door and then through an unsecured door, which is very much about crime prevention."

Vehicle thefts and taking a vehicle without consent were down to 53.

And thefts from vehicles also saw a drop from 122 to 75. Reports of criminal damage jumped to 163 from 120 a year ago - a rise that Sgt Agar hinted could be due to crime numbers being needed for repairs to be completed at council houses.

Across the Spen Valley, reports of anti-social behaviour reached 500 - with the centres of Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike being the main flashpoints.

Sgt Agar vowed to concentrate his team's efforts on anti-social behaviour, saying police could build up a portfolio of evidence against an offender. This would enable them to petition magistrates for an Asbo - anti-social behaviour order - if necessary.

Spen Valley Area Committee chairman Coun Tabasum Jamil Aslam said the figures were not a surprise as a crime survey he did of the area showed crime was prevalent.

"Nearly every other person I spoke to had been a victim of crime in one way or another, starting from a car break-in up to a violent crime," he said. "Those who haven't been a victim of crime are in fear of crime.

"Our main responsibility as elected members is to give reassurance to those people.

"A reason for these detailed crime reports from the neighbourhood police team is so we can offer feedback and liaise with them."