Drug offences rise in Yorkshire as overall crime rate falls 8pc

The region's police forces recorded an eight per cent rise in drug-related crime in total, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire reporting increases of 19 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.

But fears of a recession-fuelled crime wave were not borne out by the figures, which showed overall crime levels dropped by eight per cent in Yorkshire in the 12 months leading up to September last year compared with the same period in 2007-08.

The statistics were roughly in line with national trends and gave the Government an unexpected boost with a General Election looming.

But opposition MPs warned deep spending cuts lay ahead as it emerged a major Government crime reduction project is to have its budget slashed.

Councils learned yesterday that capital grants handed to them under the Safer and Stronger Communities would be cut by 50 per cent next year.

In Yorkshire, violent crime fell by eight per cent, while the number of sexual offences and robberies dropped by six per cent.

There was no change in the number of house burglaries but vehicle crime was also down, falling by 16 per cent.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Today's figures show that the crimes the public care most about are falling across the country with burglary, robbery and violence all down this quarter and overall police recorded crime reduced by eight per cent.

"I'm very pleased to see that confidence in the police is increasing and the number of people worried about high levels of antisocial behaviour has fallen to 15 per cent - the lowest on record.

"The British Crime Survey also shows the risk of being a victim is at its lowest point ever.

"The fall in crime across the Yorkshire and Humber region shows the difference that can be made when we work together to tackle crime and is a testament to the effort and commitment shown by police and crime reduction partners around the region."

All four of the region's police forces reported overall decreases in reported crime, led by South Yorkshire which saw an 11 per cent drop in cases.

West Yorkshire Police reported an eight per cent fall, Humberside Police seven per cent and North Yorkshire four per cent.

West Yorkshire Police's deputy chief constable David Crompton said: "I am delighted with these results which show very significant reductions in crime.

"Nevertheless we are not complacent and we will continue to target criminals with all our resources to drive down the figures even more."

The Government's plan to halve capital grants under the Safer and Stronger Communities fund was revealed in a letter from a senior Home Office official which was sent to council chief executives yesterday and released by the Tories.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: "This shows just how hypocritical the Government is being.

"On the one hand they are boasting about how they are spending money to protect public services whilst on the quiet slashing budgets in key areas like fighting crime.

"From Gordon Brown downwards, this is a Government trying to deceive the British public about what it's doing."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The Government cannot pretend to be protecting the public from crime in one breath and making deep cuts in budgets the next.

"This could be a taste of what is to come for policing budgets as soon as the election is over."