Violent criminals are increasingly using deadly weapons to commit offences, new figures have revealed.

Knives, firearms, clubs, glasses, bottles or stones were used in 24 per cent of violent incidents nationally in 2004-5 - a three per cent rise on the previous year.

But a police chief in Bradford said violent crime was actually falling in the district and the public should not fear becoming victims.

The latest Home Office figures, taken from the British Crime Survey, showed a rise of between one and six per cent for the use of weapons in all categories of violent crime.

The figures were highest for attacks between "acquaintances" at 33 per cent, a rise of almost five per cent.

Weapons were used in 26 per cent of common assaults, up six per cent, 24 per cent of robberies, up from 22 per cent, and in 14 per cent of domestic incidents, a climb of three per cent.

Knives were used in six per cent of incidents, sticks and clubs accounted for seven per cent, glasses and bottles were at six per cent and one per cent of violent crime was committed with firearms.

But Chief Superintendent Sarah Brown, divisional commander of Bradford South Police, said that, despite the fatal shooting of PC Sharon Beshenivsky in November, incidents of violent crime in the district were going down.

"The death of PC Beshenivsky is always going to be there, that is the absolute ultimate violent crime," said Chief Supt Brown.

"But it has not been our experience in Bradford that there has been an increase in the use of weapons in violent crime, and we have not experienced an increase in violent crime, per se."

Chief Supt Brown said that during the three months from August to October last year, contact violence, like wounding and assault causing bodily harm, had fallen by nearly ten per cent from the previous three months.

She declared: "That is nearly 200 fewer victims of violent crime. We have seen a decrease in the district, particularly in contact violence.

"Elderly people are highly unlikely to be victims of violent crime. It has been shown that it is usually young men of 18 to 24 who are subjected to violent crime.

"It is very unusual for somebody to be attacked by a stranger. Generally speaking, the perpetrator is known to the victim.

"It should also be pointed out that 25 per cent of violent crime recorded across the district is down to domestic violence, and a lot of work is being done on that."

But Tom McGhie, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said there were concerns among police officers about the number of people with knives in their possession when arrested and the number of times knives were used as a weapon of choice.

He said: "Risk assessments have shown police officers are more at risk from knives or needles and other sharp instruments. We have been concerned for some time about the number of people prepared to carry weapons, especially knives, which are easy to conceal and available to everybody.

"Law enforcement is the key and getting the support from the courts when the legislation is enforced.

"We keep reinforcing the message to officers about being careful when searching people. Personal safety awareness is a big issue. Officers need to look at themselves because if they cannot protect themselves they will not be able to protect the public."